Efficacy and safety of olmesartan medoxomil in patients with stage 1 hypertension: blood pressure lowering and goal achievement.

Abstract:Hypertension is a known risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality. The risk of cardiovascular events increases with age and is linear above 115/75 mm Hg. It also doubles for every 20/10-mm Hg elevation beyond this level and at every age level. Although guidelines vary somewhat by country, the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure recommends a blood pressure (BP) goal of < 140/90 mm Hg for patients with uncomplicated hypertension and < 130/80 mm Hg for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or renal disease. Based on clinical evidence, patients with stage 1 hypertension (seated cuff systolic BP of 140–159 mm Hg or diastolic BP of 90–99 mm Hg) should be treated to targeted BP levels to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are well tolerated and demonstrate significant BP reduction. Olmesartan medoxomil (OM), an ARB, has been well studied and achi...