Title:How to Treat Patients with Essential Hypertension and Peripheral Arterial Disease
VOLUME: 23 ISSUE: 31
Author(s):Salvatore Santo Signorelli*
Affiliation:Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania; General Medicine Division, University Hospital “G.Rodolico. Catania
Keywords:Arterial hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, cardiovascular risks, anti-hypertensive drugs, arterial pressure, anti-hypertensive
therapy.
Abstract:Background: Arterial hypertension (AH) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) frequently coincide.
While significant attention is paid to AH, PAD is often underestimated. It is known that both AH and PAD present
high cardiovascular risks for ischemic events. To date, the use of the most common anti-hypertensive drugs
in PAD patients is still under debate.
Methods: Data from studies of large populations and minor cohorts of patients show AH and PAD together or
PAD alone. Results: cardiovascular and renal outcomes for PAD patients show lowered arterial pressure. We
cannot rank the class of anti-hypertensive drugs recommended for PAD patients with AH. However, optimum
targeted anti-hypertensive therapy is strongly recommended by cardiology guidelines.
Conclusion: comprehensive cardiovascular protection is the most important goal in using anti-AH drugs in PAD
together with other drugs such as anti-platelets and statins.
