More use of antihypertensives has cut cardiovascular events in Canada

A study in Canada has found an association between changes in the use of antihypertensive drugs and a reduction in rates of admission to hospital and deaths from cardiovascular diseases related to hypertension (Hypertension 2009;53:128, doi:10.1161/hypertensionaha.108.119784).

In 2003 one in seven fewer people died from stroke, one in five from heart failure, and one in 10 from myocardial infarction, than predicted by the annual rates before the introduction of the Canadian Hypertension Education Programme, in 1999.

The diagnosis and treatment of …