which drug to use for the initial treatment of hypertension

April 2003

There's a lot of talk these days about which drug to use for the initial treatment of hypertension.

Many years ago, most patients got a diuretic first...nowadays ACE inhibitors or calcium blockers are usually used first.

The whole question about which drug to use flared up again just a few months ago when NIH released their huge study...and surprised many experts by suggesting diuretics are the best first choice.

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