MICROALBUMINURIA IN ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

Microalbuminuria is frequently seen in patients with established essen tial hypertension, and is a predictor of a higher risk for cardiovascu lar and probably renal dysfunction. The presence of microalbuminuria h as been shown to correlate with the other cardiovascular risk factors commonly seen in hypertensive patients. This fact indicates that the d etection of an increased urinary albumin excretion could probably be t he best index of an increased global cardiovascular risk in a given pa tient. Blood pressure control is accompanied by a fall in the content of albumin in urine. Agents with the capacity to block the renin-angio tensin system have shown a capacity to decrease urinary albumin excret ion, which is independent of their ability to lower blood pressure. Wh ether or not a decrease in urinary albumin excretion is accompanied by an improved renal and cardiovascular prognosis in hypertensive patien ts remains to be elucidated.