Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Bedside Ultrasound for Guiding Fluid Removal in Patients with Pulmonary Edema: The Reverse-FALLS Protocol
Published on: July 28, 2018
Diuretics: again the first step in the treatment of most patients with hypertension
1Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil. ffuchs@hcpa.ufrgs.br
Abstract:
The results and interpretations of the most recent controlled clinical trials on antihypertensive drugs have fuelled the debate about the drug that should be used to begin treatment for hypertension. Every comparison of diuretics with other drugs has shown that the benefits of diuretics are equivalent to, or better than, other options. These findings, together with other practical reasons, such as left ventricular mass reducing effect, easy administration, few side effects and low cost, suggest that diuretics should regain their primacy as the first step in drug management of hypertension.
Related Concept Videos
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Diuretics
Antihypertensive Drugs: Thiazide-Class Diuretics
Antihypertensive Drugs: Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
Hypertension V: Nursing Management

