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HONEST to clarify association between home blood pressure and cardiovascular events under antihypertensive medication

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 29, page 69 (2015)Cite this article

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We thank Professor Tomoyuki Kawada1 for his comments on our recent article2 and are pleased to provide clarification to address his concerns.

As Professor Kawada states, the type of antihypertensive therapy used affects cardiovascular risk. In the studies cited, olmesartan–calcium channel blocker combination therapy was more effective than high-dose olmesartan monotherapy in lowering blood pressure (BP),3 and it was more effective than olmesartan–diuretic combination therapy in decreasing home BP variability.4 However, we did not classify patients by the combination of antihypertensive agents used, because an analysis of data from the HONEST study showed no difference in BP level after 16 weeks of olmesartan therapy between patients who had received calcium channel blockers and those who had received no antihypertensive agents. We are preparing for publication of the results of our analysis of the factors that affected systolic BP reductions, including combination antihypertensive therapy.

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References

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  2. Kario K, Saito I, Kushiro T, Teramukai S, Hiramatsu K, Kobayashi F et al. Effect of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist olmesartan on morning home blood pressure in hypertension: HONEST study at 16 weeks. J Hum Hypertens 2013; 27: 721–728.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported with funding for data collection and statistical analysis by Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

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  1. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Japan

    K Kario

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Correspondence to K Kario.

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Competing interests

Dr Kario received honoraria from Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

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Kario, K. HONEST to clarify association between home blood pressure and cardiovascular events under antihypertensive medication. J Hum Hypertens 29, 69 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2013.151

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