Management of hypertension: Current state of the art and challenges

Table 1 Recommended lifestyle modifications for the management of hypertension

Weight loss (in obese or overweight patients)

Salt reduction

Regular exercise

Moderation of alcohol consumption

Smoking cessation

Increased consumption of vegetables, fruits and low-fat diary products

Table 2 Drugs to be preferred in patients with special conditions

Comorbidity	First-line therapy
Ischemic heart disease	β-blocker (unless contraindicated) Long-acting calcium channel blocker ACE inhibitors (ARBs if ACE inhibitors not tolerated)
Heart failure	ACE inhibitors (ARBs if ACE inhibitors not tolerated) β-blockers Aldosterone antagonists
Diabetes	ACE inhibitors (ARBs if ACE inhibitors not tolerated) β-blockers Calcium channel blockers
Chronic kidney disease	ACE inhibitors or ARBs Loop diuretics rather than a thiazide diuretic (or combination)
Stroke	Diuretic + ACE inhibitors
Asymptomatic organ damage
Left ventricular hypertrophy	ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Calcium channel blockers
Proteinuria	ACE inhibitors, ARBs

ACE: Angiotensin converting enzyme; ARBs: Angiotensin II receptor blockers.