EXECUTIVE SUMMARIES ON HYPERTENSION - II - CHOICES OF INITIAL-DRUG THERAPY

Once the need for drug therapy has been determined, the JNC-6 report p rovides three pathways for the choice of therapy: for uncomplicated pa tients, a diuretic or beta-blocker; for patients with diabetic nephrop athy, isolated systolic hypertension, congestive heart failure or syst olic dysfunction after myocardial infarction, specific drugs are compe llingly indicated; for other conditions, certain drugs that provide fa vorable effects are recommended. Whatever drug is chosen, long-acting preparations that provide 24-h coverage with one daily dose are recomm ended.