Donald G. Vidt, MD

An oral renin inhibitor, aliskiren, recently became available. Does it have any advantages over angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)?

Current evidence suggests that out-of-office blood pressure measurements and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring are better predictors of cardiovascular risk than routine office measurements. Is it time to make greater use of automated devices in my practice?

What is "normal" blood pressure (BP)? Is it different from optimal BP?

In imaging studies in patients older than 55 yearswith suspected coronary artery disease or peripheralvascular disease, more than 80% of renal artery lesionsare associated with generalized atherosclerosis.

Q: What is the lowest acceptable diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in a patient with systolic hypertension who is older than 65 years?

What is the lowest acceptable diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in a patient with systolic hypertension who is older than 65 years?

Should patients with prehypertension be treated with antihypertensive drugs?

How can I control elevated blood pressure (BP) in an older patient who is already taking 4 antihypertensive agents?

What factors are causing the increased incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular mortality in African Americans, and what can be done to counteract them?

Are beta-blockers still considered first-line therapy for uncomplicated hypertension?

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is expected to continue to increase rapidly, and it is not surprising that the issue of the potential effects of different classes of antihypertensive drugs on glucose metabolism and glycemic control has sparked debate.

A systematic approach to the patient with resistant hypertension is both cost-effective and rewarding because the evaluation will probably reveal the cause. Initial considerations include lack of adherence, inappropriate treatment, drug-drug interactions, volume overload, and white-coat hypertension.

More than 25% of hypertensive patients have white-coat hypertension, which has also been called "office hypertension" or "isolated clinic hypertension." It is defined as clinic or office blood pressure (BP) readings that are persistently higher than 140/90 mm Hg in conjunction with daytime ambulatory BP readings persistently lower than 135/85 mm Hg (the out-of-office BP equivalent of a clinic BP measurement of 140/90 mm Hg).

Is there a role for statins in the treatment of chronic progressive renal disease?Inflammation is a component of the pathophysiology of progressive renal disease and may also be associated with other major modifiable risk factors, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

How important is control of obesity in the treatment of hypertension?

Hypertensive crises encompass a spectrum of clinical situations thathave in common elevated blood pressure (BP) and progressive or impendingtarget organ damage. Each year more than 500,000 Americans (about1% of all persons with hypertension in the United States) have a hypertensivecrisis. In large urban areas, 25% of visits to the medical section of any givenemergency department (ED) are attributable to a hypertensive crisis.

Is hypertension a frequent manifestation of thyroid disease?Which clinical clues suggest hypertension in persons with thyroiddysfunction?