Alpha₁-blocker combination therapy for hypertension

PREVIEW

It's not unusual for a patient with hypertension, even when disease is only mild or moderate, to have an inadequate response to single-drug therapy. Use of an antihypertensive combination can enhance and prolong the blood pressure-lowering effect. In addition, it may improve tolerability and, thus, compliance. In this article, Dr Houston discusses how to select combinations of antihypertensive drugs for the most salutary outcome, focusing on alpha₁ blockers, which are among the newer agents that may have beneficial effects on some cardiovascular risk factors without exacerbating coexisting conditions.