Defining the antihypertensiveproperties of the angiotensinreceptor blocker telmisartanby a practice-based clinical trial

2,705 hypertensive patients in a community setting recruited by 703 practitioners. Included three groups: untreated with uncontrolled BP (≥140/90 mm Hg) (n=1957); treated but uncontrolled on current monotherapy (n=685); and treated and controlled, but with unacceptable side effects (n=63).

Telmisartan 40 mg daily for 2 weeks; dose increased to 80 mg if BP remained ≥130/85 mm Hg, followed for a further 4 weeks. Any previous treatment was stopped prior to receiving telmisartan.

Blood pressure reduction and control (<140/90 mm Hg)surrogate