How to use medication for high blood pressure and coronary heart disease

Question 1: What is the appropriate blood pressure to lower? Studies have shown that people with blood pressure in the range of 115/75 to 180/115 mmHg have a consistently increasing risk of coronary heart disease; and for every 20/10 mmHg increase, the risk of coronary heart disease doubles. Recommendations: target blood pressure control to <130/80 mmHg in hypertensive patients with stable coronary artery disease, unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, but treatment should be more individualized. If the patient has occlusive coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, or is older than 60 years, the diastolic blood pressure should be maintained above 60 mmHg. Question 2: Hypertension combined with stable angina ① Risk factor management: In addition to blood pressure control, it includes smoking cessation, strict blood glucose control, exercise, lipid lowering, and weight reduction in obese individuals. If there is no contraindication, statins need to be applied as well as the antiplatelet drug aspirin, and clopidogrel can be used for those who are intolerant to aspirin or have contraindications; ② β-blockers: these drugs are the cornerstone of the treatment of stable coronary artery disease and can lower blood pressure and reduce morbidity and mortality. Diabetes is not a contraindication to the use of beta-blockers, but patients need to be aware that the use of this drug may mask the symptoms of adrenergic excitation of hypoglycemia; ③ Other drugs: if there is a contraindication to the use of beta-blockers, they can be replaced by dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, and long-term acting preparations (such as amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine controlled-release or extended-release preparations), long-term acting non-dihydropyridine agents (e.g., verapamil or diltiazem), which are also effective in patients with hypertension with angina pectoris. Most studies have shown that the combination of beta-blockers and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers increases the antianginal efficacy; however, the combination with verapamil and diltiazem may increase the risk of severe bradycardia or heart block. In addition, other drugs that can be applied include ACEI or ARB and thiazide diuretics. Problem 3: Hypertension combined with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) often requires a comprehensive treatment plan including bed rest, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, oxygen therapy, intravenous nitrates, morphine, and beta-blockers or alternative non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem). Beta-blockers or non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers should be used in the absence of contraindications and in the absence of hypotension or heart failure. ACEIs should be added in patients with anterior myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled hypertension, or left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Diuretics are also necessary for long-term blood pressure control, especially in patients with volume overload. Studies have shown that ARB or ACEI treatment of patients at high cardiovascular risk (coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes) reduces the risk of cardiovascular events Problem 4: Hypertension combined with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction The treatment of these patients is similar to that described above for unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, although thrombolytic therapy, direct PCI, and arrhythmia control are more important However, thrombolysis, direct PCI, and arrhythmia control are more important and more urgent. Antihypertensive agents β-blockers and ACEIs are indicated in all patients without contraindications. Patients who are hemodynamically stable (no hypotension, heart failure or cardiogenic shock) can be started immediately with beta-blockers, and oral application is recommended. Intravenous short-acting β1-selective blockers should be considered only in patients with severe hypertension or post-myocardial infarction angina and when other drugs are ineffective. Patients beyond the acute phase should continue to take oral β-blockers as secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. Early application of ACEI can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction, with persistent hypertension, left ventricular dysfunction or diabetes mellitus. Calcium channel blockers are generally contraindicated except in patients with contraindications to beta-blockers or with severe post-infarction angina or supraventricular tachycardia that are not effectively controlled with other drugs, or for adjunctive further lowering of blood pressure.