MICROALBUMINURIA IN ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

The prevalence and significance of microalbuminuria is not well elucid ated in patients with essential hypertension. In newly detected hypert ension, its prevalence ranges between 23 and 37% and albuminuria is us ually well correlated with the level of arterial pressure. Interesting ly, albuminuria is enhanced in overweight hypertensive patients. Antih ypertensive treatment has variable influence on albuminuria, and conve rting enzyme inhibitors, in contrast to other agents, tend to partiall y correct this abnormality. Whether microalbuminuria represents a pred ictor of the future development of nephrosclerosis and ultimately rena l failure, or a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity deserves to be i nvestigated.