[Combination therapy of hypertension]

Abstract

Arterial hypertension is not adequately controlled in many countries. One of the main reasons of poor control in clinical praxis is inappropriate use of combination therapy. It is estimated, that combination of at least two antihypertensive drugs is necessary in 70-80 % of all patients suffering from hypertension. The article summarizes current knowledge and recommendation for the use of combination strategy as well as the indications for various modalities of treatment. Combination of two drugs in low doses can be used already at the beginning of pharmacological therapy, especially in moderate to severe hypertension. Early implementation of combination therapy may improve blood pressure control and positively influence the prognosis.