CLINICAL STATEMENTS AND GUIDELINESfailed to show a significant reduction of SBP in patients with resistant hypertension. 81 Other strategies such as targeting excessive sympathetic nerve activity by carotid body denervation are awaiting clinical validation in the hypertension and HF populations.
Drugs to Avoid in Patients With HFSeveral classes of drugs should be avoided in patients with HFrEF with a history of hypertension. Because of their negative inotropic properties and the increased likelihood of worsening HF symptoms, the nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem and verapamil should be avoided. 8 The dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker amlodipine appeared to be safe in patients with severe HFrEF in the PRAISE trial (Prospective Randomized Amlodipine Survival Evaluation), 82 as was felodipine. 73 In the current 2013 HF guidelines, most calcium channelblocking drugs except amlodipine are not recommended.
8Although clonidine is an effective antihypertensive agent, a similar centrally acting drug, moxonidine, was associated with increased mortality in patients with HF; thus, centrally acting norepinephrine-depleting agents may need to be avoided or used with caution in patients with HFrEF.
83In the ALLHAT trial, the α-blocker doxazosin arm of the trial was discontinued because of a 2-fold increase in the risk of developing HF compared with chlorthalidone treatment. 45 Although the ALLHAT study excluded patients with established HF and there are caveats about extrapolating these data to the management of hypertension in patients with established HF, the safety and efficacy of α-blockers in the management of patients with HF with hypertension are currently unclear. Potent direct-acting vasodilators such as minoxidil should also be avoided because of their renin-related salt and fluid-retaining effects. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents should be used with caution in these patients, given their effects on BP, volume status, and renal function.
Treatment of Hypertension in Patients With HF With Preserved LVEFMost patients with HF and preserved LVEF (HFpEF), especially elderly women, have hypertension. A significant proportion of these patients also have evidence of LV hypertrophy, and some may have atrial dilatation, cardiac enlargement, and wall motion abnormalities without LV systolic dysfunction. Patients with HFpEF may respond particularly well to the treatment of hypertension with regression of hypertrophy 84 and improvement in filling pressures. 84,85 Most patients with HFpEF require treatment with cardiac medications for the comorbidities of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation. The 2013 HF guidelines suggest that the use of β-blocking agents, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs in patients with hypertension is reasonable to control BP in patients with HFpEF. 8 The use of ARBs might also be considered to decrease hospitalizations for patients with HFpEF.
recommendations Harmonized With Existing Guidelines for the recognition and Treatment of pa...