Overtreatment of hypertension in the community?

Abstract:

Some patients currently receiving therapy for uncomplicated, mild to moderate essential hypertension may have been started on medication because of transient increases in office blood pressure (BP) or because of “white coat hypertension”. As a consequence, many patients who do not have persistent hypertension may be receiving therapy for this diagnosis. This possibility was examined by discontinuing medication in 98 patients without target organ damage who were receiving longterm antihypertensive therapy under the care of their family physician in the community. Development of hypertension was based upon an increase in the patient's ambulatory BP (mm Hg) to ≥ 160 95 recorded during usual daily activities. Evidence of early target organ damage was sought by using echocardiography to measure changes in left ventricular mass during the period off therapy. In the 50 patients who remained off …

Año de publicación:

1996

Keywords:

Fuente:

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