[Antihypertensive therapy and coronary heart disease: significance of the effect of concomitant cardiovascular risk factors].

Antihypertensive therapy as it was performed in the past has not provided the degree of protection against coronary heart disease as was originally predicted by epidemiologic evidence. An improvement of outcome of antihypertensive therapy can only be achieved if coronary risk is maximally reduced. Therefore, in treating hypertensive patients, one has to take care of a diligent search for the presence of other coexisting coronary risk factors, of a vigorous use of life-style modifications (nondrug therapy), and of a greater individual selectivity of antihypertensive agents for initial and chronic use, preferring those that may provide additional benefits for other coexisting coronary risks.