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ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY REVERSES VASCULAR AND RENAL DAMAGE.

Antihypertensive therapy is known to reverse left ventricular hypertrophy, but these results from a group of Swedish investigators show that long-term control of hypertension can have more far-reaching benefits.

In a group of 13 hypertensives who underwent intensive evaluation and seven years of follow-up, treatment not only normalized cardiovascular abnormalities but also decreased renal vascular resistance and promoted regression of microalbuminuria. Glomerular filtration rates did not change, as compared with those of control subjects without hypertension.

These findings should provide incentives for clinicians and their patients to strive for blood-pressure control even when major vascular damage already exists.

— THL

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine May 6, 1988

Citation(s):

Hartford M; Wendelhag I; Berglund G; Wallentin I; Ljungman S; Wikstrand J. Cardiovascular and renal effects of long-term antihypertensive treatment. JAMA 1988 May 6 259 2553-2557.

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