Pharmacotherapy Newsletter

Volume 3, Issue 25, 07/08/2011

Question

What is a trough:peak ratio and how does it relate to the treatment of hypertension?

Answer

The management and overall control of hypertension can be influenced by a number of different factors, one of which includes the antihypertensive drug therapy being used.  It is well known that one-time blood pressure readings in the clinic or acute care settings are not an accurate reflection of the average blood pressure throughout the day.^1-3  This is why ambulatory blood pressure monitoring has gained greater use over the years.^3-6  This is relevant because the average blood pressure throughout the day is known to be correlated with the risk for developing target organ damage and future cardiovascular complications.^3-5 

The pharmacotherapeutic approach to treating hypertension has evolved over time to include medications that are...

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