Hypertension and progression of renal disease

That systemic hypertension is involved in the progression of human renal di sease is mostly suggested by the way anti-hypertensive treatment affects th e course of the disease. Clinical evidence has been obtained from observati onal studies as well as from studies of dietary protein restriction, In add ition, several trials have compared the effects of different antihypertensi ve agents, The angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors have the best renop rotective effect when compared to conventional agents and calcium channel b lockers. In most studies, ACE-inhibitors approximately halved the risk of p rogressive renal functional deterioration in patients with non-diabetic nep hropathies; this protection was associated with a significant reduction in systemic blood pressure and proteinuria. Statistical analysis, however, als o suggests a direct effect of ACE-inhibitors on the kidney.