The use of chlorothiazide or hydrochlorothiazide with reserpine in the office treatment of hypertension.

Essential hypertension is an important problem in the office practice of medicine. Twenty to 25 per cent of the adults in the United States are affected.1 This disease has serious implications in cardiac, cerebrovas cular and renal degeneration. According to insurance statistics, the height of the blood pressure may be correlated with life expectancy. Yet, prior to the past decade, treatment of hypertension was almost primitive. Ten years ago mild to moderate cases were treated with dietary changes, weight loss, rest and mild sedatives. A few drugs were employed, such as theophylline, nitrites, thiocyanates and veratrum preparations. These drugs were effective for only short periods or at doses which were toxic. The largest proportion of these cases was helped little and the disease would continue to progress. Severe cases were treated with extreme restriction in dietary salt and protein (rice diet) or sympathetic nervous system surgery.