Traitement antihypertenseur: Pourquoi et comment?

Many clinical trials have shown that lowering increased blood pressure by an antihypertensive agent reduces the risk of morbidity and mortality due to hypertension. Despite these beneficial effects, several questions remain largely unanswered, particularly with respect to the degree of cardiovascular protection conferred by the antihypertensive complications. This article addresses some of these questions by reviewing the recommended means of lowering the blood pressure in hypertensive patients. The clinical value of effective blood pressure control throughout the 24 hour period is discussed together with the therapeutic strategies available to obtain this objective.