The place of alpha blockers in the treatment of hypertension.

Alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonists are safe, effective, well tolerated drugs which can be used alone or in combination with other drug groups in a wide range of hypertensive patients. Alpha 1 blockers not only lower blood pressure but may improve insulin sensitivity and the adverse lipid profile in many hypertensive patients. In addition to causing few side effects, alpha 1 blockers are not contra-indicated in patients with associated cardiovascular or respiratory disease. Alpha 1 blockers offer the potential to improve the risk factor profile more than conventional antihypertensive drugs.