Conclusion of editorial is somewhat flawed

EDITOR—In his analysis of the major results of the recently published antihypertensive and lipid lowering treatment to prevent heart attack trial (ALLHAT), Williams concludes that the key message from this trial is that what matters most is getting blood pressure controlled and that this is overwhelmingly more important than the means. 1 2

ALLHAT showed that all blood pressure drugs were not “created” equally.2 Williams correctly points out important differences in the secondary cause specific end points between chlorthalidone and its active comparators: doxazosin (increased congestive heart failure), lisinopril (increased stroke and coronary end points), and amlodipine (increased stroke). …