Consequences of the discontinuation of antihypertensive treatment in successfully treated patients.

Hypertension is probably the most important public health problem in developed countries. Over the last 40 years, an increasing number of hypertensive patients have been treated with various antihypertensive drugs. If the blood pressure (BP) is controlled, the discontinuation of the antihypertensive drug may result either in a relapse of the disease or in the maintenance of normal BP for a long time. In this study, we discuss the available data regarding the consequences of antihypertensive drug withdrawal in successfully treated patients and we suggest guidelines for the application in clinical practice.