HOW SHOULD WE TREAT HYPERTENSIVE WOMEN WITH CARDIAC AND RENAL IMPAIRMENT

Arterial hypertension is the most common chronic medical condition req uiring office visits to physicians and is a major contributing factor to the development of myocardial infarction and stroke. Its importance as a cardiovascular risk factor is at least as significant in women a s in men; however, the ever-growing literature on hypertension shows s urprisingly little data concerning sex differences. Large clinical tri als of antihypertensive treatment have not clearly demonstrated gender differences in blood pressure response and outcome, but the majority of patients in these trials were men, Even so, some evidence indicates that white women treated for hypertension obtain less benefit than me n. The pathophysiology of hypertension in men and women is similar in many aspects, but important gender differences are now emerging. Studi es designed to clarify these differences are required, as a better kno wledge of the underlying mechanisms will allow for a more precise stra tification of risk and a more accurate approach to both nonpharmacolog ic and pharmacologic treatment. (C) 1997 American Journal of Hypertens ion, Ltd.