Treatment of hypertension.

Effectiveness of antihypertensive agents is assessed not only by systemic blood pressure levels, but by multiple parameters that reflect specific organ functions. Among antihypertensive agents, those which inhibit angiotensin actions show particular efficacy in ameliorating end organ damage. This efficacy likely reflects the central role that angiotensin has in regulating renal function by its multifaceted actions. We will therefore focus on the renin angiotensin system, and compare its actions on parameters of renal injury with other antihypertensive treatment approaches.