Use of diuretics for the treatment of hypertension

Background: Diuretic compounds, which comprise the basis of any cardiovascular prevention in subjects with hypertension, have never been studied in terms of clinical pharmacology according to the classical and well-established rules used nowadays with other anti-hypetensive agents. Findings in the literature: Because edema was the first historical indication for diuretic compounds, very high doses were initially given for drug treatment of chronic hypertension. It was only 10-15 years ago that lower doses were first used due to the effectiveness of treatment in old subjects with hypertension and to the development of fixed associations with either converting enzyme inhibitors or beta-blocking agents. However, only a very small number of pathophysiological studies have been conducted in parallel, particularly to determine the effects on vessels and the endothelium. Conclusion: Diuretics are the most effective and the least expensive drugs for cardiovascular prevention of hypetension but the basic mechanisms of their action remains to be evaluated.