Nuevos estudios multicéntricos en hipertensión arterial / New multicentric studies in arterial hypertension

RESUMO

Prospective, randomized and long term multicentric studies, published since 1988, on the effects of pharmacological or non pharmacological treatment of hypertension are analyzed. Former studies, performed between 1967 and 1987, are devoted, in chronological order, to special populations or to forms of hypertension not sufficiently studied previously (elders and isolated systolic hypertension), using classical pharmacological treatments such as diuretics and beta blockers. Their results confirm the reduction in mortality obtained using such therapies. Ensuing studies, focused on the analysis of new drugs such as calcium antagonists and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, also demonstrated a reduction in cardiovascular risk, even in severely damaged populations. Thereafter, meta analysis of new pharmacological treatments and of non pharmacological therapies such as sodium restriction, weight reduction, avoidance of alcohol intake, calcium and potassium supplementation have appeared. These studies have emphasized the importance of prevention through changes in lifestyles. Their positive, although modest results, encourage the assessment of long term preventive and therapeutic measures in hypertension