Posted by CCF Cardio MD-APS on August 06, 1997 at 16:47:06:

In Reply to: Can Diuretics Reduce the Risk of Heart Failure? posted by Cindy on July 29, 1997 at 12:14:05:

: Good Morning:

I read an article recently that stated: "Treating high blood pressure in older people with diuretics can reduce the risk of developing heart failure by at least half." If this is true, should my 78 year old father, who suffers from high blood pressure, be put on a diuretic?

Thank you so much for this forum! It is so comforting to have a place to go to ask a question and receive an answer that I can actually understand!

Cindy

Dear Cindy,

Diuretics are a mainstay of many thoughtful anti-hypertensive regimens. I am not at all certain that diuretics will reduce the incidence of heart failure. However, if one suffers from congestive heart failure, diuretics can greatly assist in this condition.

In your father’s particular case of hypertension, a diuretic is an excellent choice as therapy. Other medicines are available with equal or better effectiveness. None has been shown in controlled clinical trials to reduce the incidence of heart failure, however.

Have a nice day.