New Aspects in the Treatment of Hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension is currently the leading cause of cardiovascular complications (heart attack, stroke) and the resulting deaths of patients. Reduced morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular complications is the main goal of treating patients suffering from high blood pressure (BP). To achieve target BP levels in the arsenal of physicians are five major classes of antihypertensive drugs: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, β-blockers, diuretics. The choice of antihypertensive drug in concrete clinical situation often complicated and determined by complex factors. Among these presence of risk factors; target organ damage; associated clinical conditions, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, comorbidities; possible individual patient response to antihypertensive drugs of different classes in history; the likelihood of drug interactions; socioeconomic factors, including the cost of treatment of hypertension. Promising is the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers-drugs with pleiotropic pharmacological properties that have a multicomponent antihypertensive efficacy, good tolerability, diverse organoprotection that are safe, able to enhance remote prognosis for patients with hypertension. Azilsartan medoxomil is a competitive reversible angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist. Azilsartan developing hypotensive effect faster, prolonged and pronounced compared to other sartans (valsartan, candesartan and olmesartan). In addition to antihypertensive action azilsartan medoxomil shows a number of additional pleiotropic effects. These include antithrombotic, antiproliferative and antyfibrotic action. It demonstrates the improvement in glucose tolerance and tissue insulin sensitivity, improves endothelial function, reduces the progression of albuminuria, proteinuria.