DRUG-THERAPY FOR HYPERTENSION

By matching the profile of an antihypertensive drug to the clinical an d demographic characteristics of the patient (e.g., risk factors, coex isting diseases, goals of therapy beyond lowering blood pressure), the physician can maximize the efficacy of the regimen and minimize the a dverse effects the patient may experience. Optimal therapy requires a knowledge of the pharmacologic properties of the six broad classes of antihypertensive drugs: diuretics, sympatholytics (including central a nd peripheral adrenergic receptor blockers), direct vasodilators, angi otensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and ang iotensin II receptor antagonists.