Pharmacologic management of hypertension

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Millions of Americans have hypertension. Fortunately, the condition can usually be controlled by drugs if not by life-style changes. Since its first report in 1977, the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure has revised its recommendations three times as a result of new information and new drugs that have been introduced. Drs Cressman and Gifford summarize the current position of the Committee, which is that the physician choose a diuretic, beta blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or calcium channel blocker after consideration of individual factors such as age, race, and concomitant disease.