Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion
Published on: May 26, 2022
Implications of the main therapeutic trials conducted in hypertension
A Amery1, R Fagard, J Staessen
1Department of Pathophysiology, University of Leuven.
Insights
Hypotensive drug treatment in hypertensives significantly reduces cardiovascular mortality, primarily by lowering cerebrovascular events. Guidelines recommend lifestyle changes first, followed by medication if blood pressure remains high.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Management
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events.
- Intervention trials have evaluated the efficacy of hypotensive drug treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of hypotensive drug treatment on cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive patients.
- To review current guidelines for hypertension management.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from intervention trials in hypertensive patients.
- Review of recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Society of Hypertension (ISH).
Main Results:
- Hypotensive drug treatment is associated with decreased cardiovascular mortality, mainly due to reduced cerebrovascular events.
- General hygienic measures are recommended initially.
- Hypotensive drugs should be considered if blood pressure remains elevated after 3-6 months of follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Hypotensive drug therapy effectively reduces cardiovascular mortality in hypertensives.
- Further research is needed to establish the benefits in specific populations (e.g., isolated systolic hypertension, patients over 80).
- The optimal blood pressure targets for treatment remain under investigation.
Abstract:
An impressive number of patients has been followed in intervention trials, some of them carefully designed and executed. The different intervention trials in hypertensives are compatible with the hypothesis that hypotensive drug treatment can decrease cardiovascular mortality mainly by decreasing cerebrovascular mortality. A decrease in fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular event rate is mainly due to the decrease in cerebrovascular events. On the basis of these trials the expert committee of the WHO and ISH recommend first general hygienic measures. When the blood pressure remains above 100 mm Hg after 3 months or above 95 mm Hg after 6 months follow-up, hypotensive drugs should be considered. It is not established whether the hypotensive drug treatment is advisable in: --symptomless patients with isolated systolic hypertension, --hypertensive patients above age 80. Sudden reduction in blood pressure should be avoided but whether a progressive reduction of the systolic blood pressure below 140 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure below 85 mm Hg is dangerous or advantageous remains to be established.
Related Concept Videos
Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
Heart Failure V: Medical Management
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
