Valsartan - Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease (Paperback, New title)

Drugs in Context is an independent, peer reviewed and practice orientated review of all the significant data on a specific drug, placed in the context of the disease and clinical practice setting. Valsartan; optimising blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. It is now of paramount importance that these patients reap the clinical benefits of the array of excellent pharmacological agents currently available. Disease Overview: Lowering elevated blood pressure reduces morbidity from stroke, MI, congestive heart failure and renal failure, and recent outcomes studies have demonstrated that antihypertensive agents offer clinical benefits beyond their blood pressure lowering efficacy. Drug Review: Valsartan (either alone or combined with other antihypertensive agents) provides excellent blood pressure lowering efficacy and good tolerability in patients presenting with hypertension in general practice. Improving Practice: The new GMS contract, published in 2003, is an important step towards the development of primary care in the UK. Of the 550 clinical points available in the GMS contract, 129 relate directly to hypertension.