Diuretics are preferred first-line over CCBs to optimize reduction of cardiovascular events .
The review does not distinguish between CCBs , ACE inhibitors or ARBs , but does provide evidence supporting the use of CCBs over beta-blockers .
BACKGROUND Calcium channel blockers ( CCBs ) are a relatively new antihypertensive class .
The effect of first-line CCBs on the prevention of cardiovascular events , as compared with other antihypertensive drug classes , is unknown .
OBJECTIVES To determine whether CCBs used as first-line therapy for hypertension are different from other first-line drug classes in reducing the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events .
Treatment of elderly hypertensives in Japan: National Intervention Cooperative Study in Elderly Hypertensives. The National Intervention Cooperative Study Group.
PREVALENCE OF  HYPERTENSION IN ELDERLY JAPANESE PATIENTS : Data collected from post-mortem information at the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital showed that the overall prevalence of hypertension in Japanese patients aged over 60 years was 53 % ; one-third of these elderly hypertensives had isolated systolic hypertension . Isolated systolic and systolodiastolic hypertension were each associated with a similar degree of increased atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications . In a placebo-controlled study antihypertensive treatment produced a reduction in withdrawal from treatment in elderly patients with mild hypertension . INTERIM TRIAL RESULTS : Some interim results have been obtained from a new trial which is currently under way in Japan , the National Intervention Cooperative Study for the Treatment of Elderly Hypertensives , a long-term study comparing the effects of a calcium antagonist ( nicardipine ) and a thiazide diuretic ( trichlormethiazide ) on cardiovascular complications in elderly patients with mild to moderate hypertension
Diuretics are preferred first-line over CCBs to optimize reduction of cardiovascular events .
The review does not distinguish between CCBs , ACE inhibitors or ARBs , but does provide evidence supporting the use of CCBs over beta-blockers .
BACKGROUND Calcium channel blockers ( CCBs ) are a relatively new antihypertensive class .
The effect of first-line CCBs on the prevention of cardiovascular events , as compared with other antihypertensive drug classes , is unknown .
OBJECTIVES To determine whether CCBs used as first-line therapy for hypertension are different from other first-line drug classes in reducing the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events .