• J L Reid.
• Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
• J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 1991 Jan 1; 18 Suppl 2: S64-7.

AbstractTo date, a range of drugs are available that are generally well tolerated and effective in lowering blood pressure. Although they are successful in reducing stroke, renal failure, and cardiac failure, they have a disappointing and less than expected influence on coronary artery disease and its manifestations. The genetic and environmental factors determining susceptibility to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease are now more clearly defined and interactions between risk factors and protective mechanisms recognized. Drug treatment of hypertension must become a part of the overall approach to prevention of cardiovascular disease and possible health promotion. Dietary and hygienic measures (cessation of smoking and control of alcohol intake) should be combined where necessary with specific treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Future drug treatment must not only be effective and well tolerated but should complement other preventive approaches. In view of the increasing recognition that blood pressure treatment with a single drug is unlikely to be successful in all patients, there is likely to be a role in the future for pharmacologically coherent low-dose combinations of antihypertensive drugs.

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