which drug to use for the initial treatment of hypertension

April 2003

There's a lot of talk these days about which drug to use for the initial treatment of hypertension.

Years ago, most patients got a diuretic first...now ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers are often started first.

The question of which drug to use flared up a few months ago with the NIH's huge ALLHAT hypertension study. It surprised many experts by suggesting diuretics are the best choice.

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