Arterial hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system. The need to combat hypertension is due to the fact that it is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality. Currently, diuretics have firmly taken their place in the treatment of arterial hypertension. The effectiveness of this method of treating the disease is presented in the article by Sundeep, “Diuretics in primary hypertension – Reloaded.”
Nowadays, the need for long-term or even lifelong drug therapy for arterial hypertension is crucial. Mills (2020) emphasized that “hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide” (p. 223). Among the existing diseases of the cardiovascular system, hypertension has the most significant number of treatment drugs and the most difficult choice of a specific drug for an individual patient. It is worth noting that interest in diuretic drugs has weakened, perhaps due to the appearance of more effective drugs (Sundeep, 2016). Another reason is the possible lack of tolerability and side effects when using high dosages.
In the article, the author examines the problems in using diuretic therapy, reducing the mortality rate when doses are increased, and whether all diuretics have the same effect in treatment. Thus, according to Sundeep (2016), diuretics in low doses, especially thiazide drugs, are safer but do not benefit from mortality shown when taking high doses. Indapamide and chlorthalidone in low doses have fewer side effects but continue to be the main cause of death among patients.
Therefore, the positive experience of using diuretics in the treatment of hypertension is associated with the safety of treatment, which implies a minimum of side effects and the availability of these drugs. In addition, they are medications that have demonstrated a reliable and gradual decrease in blood pressure and cardiovascular consequences. However, it is noted that the use of diuretics in low doses is still not used enough.
References
Mills, K. T., Stefanescu, A., & He, J. (2020). The global epidemiology of hypertension. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 16(4), 223-237. Web.
Sundeep, M. (2016). Diuretics in primary hypertension – Reloaded. Indian Heart Journal, 68(5), 720-723. Web.