Essential hypertension is a disease with a major impact on health
worldwide, thus control of blood pressure seems to be a key component of
cardiovascular disease prevention. Despite considerable advances in the
treatment of hypertension, effective management remains poor and new
strategies to control high blood pressure and cardiovascular risk
reduction are required. These seem to be divided into two major
categories: those seeking to advance blood pressure-lowering efficacy of
already existing agents, and others related to novel approaches, both
pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Moreover, numerous clinical
trials have evaluated the use of nutritional supplements in the
prevention of cardiovascular diseases and in achievement of optimal
blood pressure control. Additionally, the advent of interventional
techniques, such as carotid baroreceptor stimulation and renal ablation
of sympathetic nerve activity, seems to be proved effective in cases
where medical management and lifestyle modifications are insufficient.
Genetic technology, which has advanced tremendously over the past few
years, could assist novel treatment options in hypertensive patients,
such as RNA interference targeting hypertension-related genes. However,
continued efforts must progress in these areas and the effects of
therapeutic strategies in hypertensive patients need to be further
explored in larger trials over a longer period of time. (C) 2012
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved