Antihypertensive therapy and cardiovascular disease. Impact of effective therapy on disease progression.

Hypertension is the most ubiquitous risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Results from clinical trials have established the benefit of antihypertensive therapy in preventing the morbidity and mortality associated with high blood pressure, including stroke, coronary heart disease, and heart failure. Treatment is effective in the elderly, a significant consideration because the percentage of the elderly population is growing rapidly. This article reviews the impact of antihypertensive treatment on cardiovascular disease and treatment endpoints.