It takes two for improved control of blood pressure

New British-led research shows that starting treatment of blood pressure with two medicines rather than the one produces better and faster results and fewer side effects - findings that could change clinical practice world-wide. The study, published in the Lancet, challenges popular medical practice for the treatment of high blood pressure. The research was led by Cambridge in collaboration with the Universities of Dundee, Glasgow and the British Hypertension Society. Doctors usually start treatment with one medicine and then add others over a period of months, if needed, to control blood pressure. This study shows that it is best to start treatment with two medicines together at the same time - resulting in much faster and better control of blood pressure and surprisingly fewer side effects than with one medicine alone. The two medicines can be incorporated into a single pill, simplifying things for patients. But by including two medicines in the same pill, they are taking a much more effective medicine with fewer side effects.