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Fixed combination therapy of hypertension: focus on valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination (Diovan/HCT)

Steven G Chrysant1

  • 1University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Cardiovascular and Hypertension Center, 5850 W Wilshire Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73132-4904, USA. schrysant@yahoo.com

Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
|March 20, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension management often requires combination therapy. Valsartan combined with hydrochlorothiazide effectively controls blood pressure in most patients, offering a superior treatment option.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension significantly increases cardiovascular risks.
  • Monotherapy for hypertension is frequently insufficient, controlling only about 50% of cases.
  • JNC-7 guidelines recommend <140/90 mmHg, or <130/80 mmHg for specific conditions, often necessitating combination therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy for hypertension.
  • To highlight the benefits of combining diuretics with ACE inhibitors or ARBs.
  • To assess the effectiveness of valsartan and its fixed combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCT).

Main Methods:

  • Review of combination therapy strategies for hypertension.
  • Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs).
  • Analysis of clinical data for valsartan and valsartan/HCT efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Combination therapy, particularly with a diuretic and an ACEI or ARB, is effective in lowering blood pressure.
  • ARBs offer a direct blockade of angiotensin II, potentially surpassing ACEIs.
  • Valsartan, an ARB, effectively controls blood pressure, and its fixed combination with HCT achieves control in approximately 70% of patients.

Conclusions:

  • Combination therapy is often essential for achieving target blood pressure goals in hypertension.
  • Valsartan/HCT provides a highly effective treatment option for managing hypertension.
  • The combination targets both renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and volume, enhancing blood pressure control.

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