Comparison of different therapeutic strategies in hypertension

533 patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension (n=180 in low-dose combination, n=176 in sequential monotherapy, n=177 in stepped-care).

Low-dose combination therapy (perindopril 2 mg and indapamide 0.625 mg, up-titrated in two steps up to 4 mg and 1.25 mg) once daily for up to 9 months.

Sequential monotherapy (atenolol 50 mg, replaced if necessary by losartan 50 mg, then amlodipine 5 mg) or stepped-care (valsartan 40 mg, up-titrated to 80 mg, then co-administered with hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg) once daily.

Achievement of target blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg) at 9 months.surrogate