Tolerability and treatment compliance with angiotensin II receptor antagonists

Giuseppe Mancia1, Gino Seravalle, Guido Grassi

  • 1Clinica Medica, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, Prevenzione e Biotecnologie Sanitarie, Università Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Milan, Italy. giuseppe.mancia@unimib.it

Insights

Hypertension management has improved cardiovascular outcomes, but blood pressure control remains suboptimal in many patients. New antihypertensive drugs like angiotensin II receptor antagonists offer better tolerability and compliance.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension-related cardiovascular risk is reducible through blood pressure (BP) lowering.
  • Antihypertensive drug treatment significantly decreases cardiovascular events and complications.
  • Current population-level BP control is suboptimal, with less than 25% of treated patients achieving target BP <140/90 mm Hg.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current status of BP control in treated hypertensive individuals.
  • To examine factors contributing to inadequate BP control, focusing on patient compliance.
  • To evaluate the tolerability and compliance of angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs).

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing studies and intervention trials on hypertension management.
  • Analysis of factors influencing treatment adherence and drug side effects.
  • Assessment of the efficacy and safety profiles of ARBs.

Main Results:

  • Despite evidence of improved cardiovascular risk reduction, optimal BP control is not widespread.
  • Inadequate compliance, drug intolerance, and underutilization of combination therapy hinder BP control.
  • ARBs demonstrate a favorable tolerability and compliance profile.

Conclusions:

  • Improving BP control in hypertensive patients is crucial for reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
  • Addressing compliance issues and optimizing drug selection, including ARBs, are key strategies.
  • ARBs represent a promising therapeutic option for enhancing treatment adherence and achieving BP targets.

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