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Published on: June 7, 2013
Pathophysiologic therapeutic targets in hypertension: a cardiological point of view
Gabriele Fragasso1, Francesco Maranta, Claudia Montanaro
1Heart Failure Clinic, Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano, Italy. gabriele.fragasso@hsr.it
Insights
Treating arterial hypertension requires considering individual pathophysiological mechanisms. Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are recommended for complex hypertensive patients, especially those at high risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Hypertension Management
Background:
- Arterial hypertension treatment is complex, requiring tailored approaches based on patient-specific pathophysiology.
- Understanding pathophysiological mechanisms is crucial for effective anti-hypertensive therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between hypertension pathophysiology, medical treatment, and drug side effects.
- To identify optimal pharmacological strategies for managing arterial hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of Medline and Cochrane library (1986-2011).
- Focused on papers detailing hypertension pathophysiology, treatment, and adverse effects of anti-hypertensive drugs.
Main Results:
- Hypertension often coexists with complex health issues like diabetes and dyslipidemia.
- Changes in pathophysiological markers can predict patient clinical outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Hypertensive patients, particularly those with complex conditions, require holistic pharmacological treatment.
- Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors are suggested as a primary treatment for high-risk hypertensive patients.
Introduction:
Treatment of arterial hypertension can be a difficult exercise. Anti-hypertensive treatments need to be administered, keeping in mind the pathophysiological mechanisms and correlates at the base of arterial hypertension in the specific patient.
Areas Covered:
The common pathophysiological mechanisms at the base of hypertension and their undisputed mechanistic relationship with clinical events. Additionally, the mounting evidence showing that, from their changes, it may be possible to predict the clinical outcome of patients. Data was sourced from Medline and the Cochrane library. Which were searched from January 1986 to May 2011 to find relevant papers outlining the relation between hypertension, pathophysiology, medical treatment and side/adverse effects of anti-hypertensive drugs.
Expert Opinion:
It appears that the hypertensive patient in the cardiological context is often a subject with a 'complex' health status (e.g., glucose intolerant/diabetic carrier of serum lipids disorder) and as such, he/she should be treated in a 'holistic' pharmacological way. All the ancillary positive and negative effects of the administered drugs should not be dismissed. From a pathophysiological point of view, inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system could be considered as the most appropriate drugs for the treatment of arterial hypertension and its correlates, especially in the high-risk patient.
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