In this blog, Giorgio Karam examines the evidence on antihypertensive drugs for primary prevention – when do we start treatment?
Managing hypertension is complex, involves lifestyle modifications such as physical activity and dietary interventions, as well as drugs. Here, we highlight the evidence from Cochrane about which drug is better as a first-line therapy.
Your patient has mild hypertension. What should you do?
Treat the hypertension.
Okay, how should you treat the hypertension?
Well, let’s start with HCTZ, that’s well-tolerated.
What will that do?
It’s a diuretic; it’ll help her get rid of the extra volume.
Okay, what will that do?
It’ll lower her blood pressure.
Okay, what will that do?
What do you mean, what will that do?
What will lowering her blood pressure do?
It’ll lower her blood pressure! Seriously—who are you anyway?
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