Can the effectiveness of hypertension management be improved?

Abstract

Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lowering blood pressure (BP) reduces cardiovascular risk; yet despite the availability of numerous antihypertensives, the proportion of patients achieving BP control remains low. Treatment guidelines are based on evidence from clinical trials, however this evidence may not be representative of real-world treatment effectiveness. Many studies evaluating antihypertensives continue to rely on office BP measurements that provide a less realistic evaluation of hypertension status than ambulatory measures. New studies are needed with greater consideration on evaluating efficacy for translation into clinical effectiveness. In addition, novel therapies for reducing BP and with a greater capacity to improve BP control are still required. This article discusses some of the challenges of hypertension management and reviews strategies and treatment advances that may pave the way to more effective BP control.

Keywords::

• ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
• antihypertensive
• effectiveness
• efficacy
• hypertension

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals International has provided an educational grant to support the production of this manuscript, including provision of editorial support by Virgo HEALTH Education. The final version of the manuscript was reviewed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals International for medical accuracy only; Takeda Pharmaceuticals International had no involvement in the article’s content.

Notes

BP: Blood pressure.