Starting a Fixed-Dose Combination Pill versus a Single Agent for Patients with Hypertension

Excerpt

Hypertension remains the number-one cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide,1 and it is well established that treating elevated blood pressure with antihypertensive medications improves these outcomes.2 Target blood pressure values have been promulgated by societies in both Europe and the United States, although large surveys indicate that a significant percentage of patients treated for hypertension do not reach these targets.3 It is now recommended that therapy be initiated with two rather than one medication in individuals with higher pretreatment blood pressure in order to enhance the chances of success.4 ^, 5 Overall, the most commonly used classes of antihypertensives (i.e., diuretics, beta blockers [BB], calcium channel blockers [CCB], and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors [RASI]) are approximately equally effective in reducing cardiovascular events and mortality.2 …