Patients who visit doctors other than a cardiologist, an internist, or general or family practitioner are less likely to be screened for hypertension, a study found.

Tekturna HCT has been approved as a single-tablet combination of two medicines for high BP: tekturna (aliskiren), the first new type of antihypertensive drug in more than a decade, and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide.

Diovan (valsartan), an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) marketed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals of East Hanover, N.J., has been approved for treating hypertension in children and adolescents aged six to 16.

The beta blocker Bystolic (nebivolol), a once-daily medication that can be used alone or in combination with other hypertension treatments, has received FDA marketing clearance.

SWITCHING A single antihypertensive agent from a morning dose to an evening dose may restore nocturnal BP dips in CKD patients.

Diovan (valsartan), an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) marketed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals of East Hanover, N.J., has been approved for treating hypertension in children and adolescents aged six to 16.

The beta blocker Bystolic (nebivolol), a once-daily medication that can be used alone or in combination with other hypertension treatments, has received FDA marketing clearance.

The FDA has cleared the antihypertensive agent Avalide (irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide) as the first combination therapy for initial use in patients who are likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their BP goals.

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., of Parsippany, N.J., the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's second-largest pharmaceutical company, has received approval for Azor (amlodipine and olmesartan medoxomil), a once-daily single tablet for the treatment of hypertension.

Older age and hypertension increase the risk of renal impairment among live kidney donors, according to South Korean researchers.