Substituting commonly used antihypertensive drugs with vasodilators such as alpha-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium blockers may provide maximal efficacy and long-term safety.
Does substituting older antihypertensives with vasodilators improve protection against cardiovascular disease and quality of life in asymptomatic patients with mild hypertension?
This review suggests that newer vasodilating antihypertensives may offer better protection and quality of life than older agents for the management of mild hypertension.
With the increasing recognition of relatively mild hypertension, asymptomatic patients are being started on life-long therapy with antihypertensive agents. Before the diagnosis is made or therapy instituted, elevated blood pressure must be verified. To provide maximal protection against premature cardiovascular disease and coronary disease, various non-drug therapies should be used that lower both blood pressure and other risk factors. Drugs should be chosen to provide maximal efficacy, long-term safety, and multifaceted convenience, providing the greatest protection with the least interference with quality of life. These goals can be best achieved by substituting commonly used drugs such as diuretics, central agonists, and beta-blockers with vasodilators, such as alpha-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and calcium blockers.
Norman M. Kaplan (Fri,) conducted a review in Hypertension. Vasodilators (alpha-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium blockers) vs. Diuretics, central agonists, and beta-blockers was evaluated. Substituting commonly used antihypertensive drugs with vasodilators such as alpha-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium blockers may provide maximal efficacy and long-term safety.
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