Persistence of normal BP after withdrawal of drug treatment in mild hypertension

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Abstract
Antihypertensive therapy was discontinued in 24 patients with mild hypertension whose BP [blood pressure] had been well controlled with diuretics alone. Eleven patients (46%) maintained normal diastolic BP (.ltoreq. 90 mm Hg) for 6 mo. after stopping treatment, and 5 patients (21%) for 12 mo. All patients who remained normotensive for 6-12 mo. had mean diastolic BP of .ltoreq. 82 mm Hg during treatment. There was no significant correlation between maintenance of normotension and any of the following: pretreatment BP, presence of target-organ damage, duration of known hypertension, family history of hypertension, heart rate, body weight, weight gain after stopping diuretic therapy, 24-h urinary Na and K excretion, serum electrolyte values or renin profile. Hypertension may be favorably modified, sometimes for many months, by effective antihypertensive treatment.