Hypertension and valsartan

Abstract

Hypertension, which is pointed to be the most frequent cause of death in the World and in Turkey and defined by the World Health Organization as global health crisis and the prominent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is a problem threatening public health. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in pathophysiology and in turn treatment of the disease. The drugs suppressing RAS are recommended both for monotherapy and combinations. Together with the blood pressure lowering effects and positive contributions of this group of drugs to the cardiovascular and renal process have been proved by clinical studies. In this review, the recent developments about the hypertension treatment were summarized and the place of valsartan molecule, being an angiotensin receptor blocker in hypertension treatment, was examined in the light of the studies in which the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of valsartan were evaluated.