Avances en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial / Advances in the treatment of hypertension

RESUMO

This review describes the most recent advances in the treatment of essential hypertension, from non pharmacological measures and changes in lifestyles to new blood pressure lowering drugs. A blood pressure lower tha 130/80 mmHg, has been established as the new goal for optimal treatment. In the last two consensus a new range of blood pressure, denominated Òhigh normalÓ (130-139/85-89 mm Hg) has been incorporated. People with other cardiovascular risk factors and a blood pressure within this range, should be treated. The HOT study recently demonstrated that a reduction to less than 90 mmHg of diastolic pressure is associated with a reduction on cardiovascualr morbidity and mortality. The importance of the peak/valley relationship in the election of anti hypertensive medication is also reviewd