[How to decrease the risk of myocardial infarct in patients with hypertension?].

Abstract

About half a million of the adult Swiss population has elevated blood pressure (greater than or equal to 160/95 mmHg); about one third of these cases has not yet been identified. In treated hypertensives, the expediency of primary prevention of myocardial infarction (MI) has until recently been questioned. However, the results of newest prospective studies show the favourable influence of blood pressure control not only in terms of reducing the incidence of stroke, but also of MI and sudden death, regardless of the drug applied. In male non-smoking hypertensives, administration of beta-blockers contributes to a further reduction of the incidence of MI. With a view to reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the author recommends--besides improved detection and treatment of hypertension--also a more intensive fight against other risk factors of MI, especially against cigarette smoking and hypercholesterolaemia.