Antiplatelet treatment in essential hypertension: where do we stand?

Antiplatelet agents represent a cornerstone in the management of patients at increased cardiovascular risk. Essential hypertension is considered a major public health problem leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The majority of patients with essential hypertension exhibit also additional cardiovascular risk factors and present with increased platelet activation. Despite recent innovations in the field of antiplatelet treatment and the introduction of novel agents, the role of antiplatelet treatment in patients with essential hypertension remains understudied. This review aims to shed light on novel experimental and clinical data in the evolving field of antiplatelet treatment in essential hypertension. In particular, recent data regarding aspirin, clopidogrel, novel P2Y12 inhibitors, and other agents with potential antiplatelet effects are critically reviewed.