[Therapeutical strategies in hypertensive patients presenting heart failure symptoms].

In the last decade the number of patients with congestive heart failure has increased noticeably and today heart failure is one of the major problems in civilized countries. While in earlier decades arterial hypertension was the main reason for developing heart failure, today coronary artery disease has become the focus of attention. However, arterial hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia are also main risk factors for developing coronary artery disease. In addition to non-pharmacological management with reduced fluid intake and periodical exercise training particularly in stable heart failure, in the last decade some special drug compounds have demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality in great double blind randomized trials. ACE-inhibitors and betablockers are essential components in treating congestive heart failure. Angiotensin-II-receptorblockers are indicated if ACE inhibitors and/or beta-blockers are not tolerated. The combined use of all three compounds was shown to result in a further reduction of mortality in the recently presented CHARM study. In progressive heart failure the use of diuretics is necessary and effective especially when fluid overload exists. Not treating heart failure is followed by high mortality, as we know, and so adequate and uncompromising treatment of hypertension is the most important approach to prevent the further development of heart failure.