Prevention of myocardial infarction

Despite substantial progress in cardiovascular disease prevention, stroke and myocardial infarction remain the leading causes of death throughout the industrialized world. Treatment of high blood pressure, while contributing importantly to this progress, remains inefficient and less than optimally effective, particularly in regard to coronary artery disease events. Therapeutic intervention in the renin-angiotensin system offers promise of progress on both these fronts. Renin-sodium profiles have been shown to permit prognostic stratification of otherwise indistinguishable hypertensive patients. Indeed, low renin subjects, without other cardiovascular risk factors, have a particularly favorable prognosis. Now, the pharmacologic ability to mute the pathologic effects of angiotensin II also offers the genuine possibility that the cardioprotective value of antihypertensive therapy may be significantly improved.