Drug treatment of high blood pressure.

The effective drug treatment of hypertension has become a reality over the past 25 years. People no longer need die from complications of untreated hypertension. Pharmacologic treatment is available with a variety of antihypertensive drugs: diuretics, central nervous system agents, alpha-adrenergic blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers, vasodilator, and new drugs that are still under investigation. The desired outcome of a lowered blood pressure can usually be achieved by the stepped-care approach coupled with nonpharmacologic measures. Individualization of therapy, however, is essential.