Question

A 52-year-old female of European ancestry with a BMI=24 kg/m2 is diagnosed with new-onset hypertension. She has no significant medical history, no concomitant health problems, and takes no medications. Along with therapeutic lifestyle changes, therapy should begin with which of the following classes of drug?

a) Aldosterone antagonist
b) Beta-adrenergic antagonist
c) Centrally-acting agent
d) Thiazide diuretic

Answer 1

Therapy for a 52-year-old female with new-onset hypertension and no significant medical history should begin with a thiazide diuretic, as this class is typically the first-line treatment for hypertension.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the initial drug therapy for a 52-year-old female patient with newly diagnosed hypertension and a body mass index (BMI) of 24 kg/m2. Given her diagnosis and lack of significant medical history, along with therapeutic lifestyle changes, initial therapy should begin with a drug from the thiazide diuretic class. This class of medication is typically considered the first line of treatment for hypertension, especially in patients without comorbidities requiring an alternative drug class. Beta-adrenergic antagonists (also called beta blockers) are also used to treat hypertension, but they may not be the first choice in the absence of other indications. Centrally-acting agents and aldosterone antagonists have other specific indications, making a thiazide diuretic the most suitable initial choice according to current guidelines.