Hypertension therapy and cardiovascular protection. Effects of angiotensin II receptor block with Valsartan

OBJECTIVES: Arterial hypertension and its pharmacological control are discussed in view of the high cardiovascular risk due to lack of target blood pressure achievement. It is, therefore, underlined the need for a highly effective therapy, able to provide protection from organ damage through a marked antihypertensive activity. In addition to this basic property, also compliance of the patient to therapy is needed, in order to avoid that the effects of therapeutic measures should result fruitless. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: An answer to this problem appears now offered by a recent class of antihypertensive agents, the angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Among them valsartan has been described, providing an overview of methodologically adequate clinical studies, evaluating the efficacy, even at long-term, and safety. Valsartan has been compared with other antihypertensive agents of proven efficacy, mainly amlodipine, showing a better clinical profile. A wide room was finally left to the problem of adherence to therapy, whose lack is associated very frequently with marked increases in cardiovascular risk, due to absent or insufficient blood pressure control. This implies significant increases of health costs, as documented in numerous Countries, mainly following the higher need for hospitalization. On the other hand, it is also well documented the pharmacoeconomic benefit associated to ARBs use, particularly with valsartan.