RISK-FACTORS AND DRUGS IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION

Background A wide range of drug classes, frequently including centrall y acting agents, has been used in clinical trials in hypertension whic h have shown benefit. Although therapy has clearly limited the complic ations of hypertension, further improvement is needed, especially conc erning coronary artery disease, Perspectives Future interest therefore centres on drugs that do not worsen diabetes mellitus, do not cause d yslipidaemia, or induce potassium loss, while not provoking drowsiness , depression, other troublesome side-effects, or being associated with rebound hypertension when stopped, The centrally acting imidazoline a gonists merit detailed study in this regard.