Legacy effect in the treatment of hypertension: persistent cardiovascular protection after conclusion of randomized clinical trials in hypertension
Essential hypertension is the main determinant of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. During the last decades, several antihypertensive drug therapies have been introduced and tested in clinical trials, both as monotherapies and combination therapies. The current recommended therapeutic approaches effectively reduce the lifetime risk of experiencing major cardiovascular outcomes and disabling comorbidities, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and congestive heart failure.