Use of diuretics in cardiovascular diseases: (1) heart failure
- 1University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- 2Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, Denbighshire, UK
- 3University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Correspondence to: Dr Saeed Ullah Shah 17 South Street, Harborne, Birmingham B17 0DB, UK; saeedshahmiranshah.freeserve.co.uk
- Received 7 June 2003
- Accepted 29 August 2003
Abstract
Diuretics are used extensively in hospitals and in community medical practice for the management of cardiovascular diseases. They are used frequently as the first line treatment for mild to moderate hypertension and are an integral part of the management of symptomatic heart failure. Although diuretics have been used for several decades, there is still some ambiguity and confusion regarding the optimal way of using these common drugs. In this paper, the classes and action of diuretics are reviewed, and the various indications, optimal doses, and recommendations on the effective use of these agents are discussed.
