Lebanon's leading endocrinologists join together to discuss hypertension

Heart attacks brought on by hypertension remain among the world's deadliest conditions, with studies suggesting that as many as 31 percent of all deaths in the world result from diseases of the heart.

At the event, which attracted attendees from across Lebanon, specialists explored the choices available to physicians treating patients suffering from hypertension.

One of the key points under discussion was the importance of reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients, and the choice of anti-hypertensive treatments that are currently available to do this.

"As the body of research on hypertension increases, it is essential that the Lebanese medical community shares its insights and experiences, so that we are better placed to treat our patients," commented Professor Ibrahim Salti, president of The Lebanese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Lipids, who was the first speaker at the event.

"By highlighting a number of international studies on hypertension and the treatments available, this event made an important contribution to the ongoing work around this serious condition," added Prof. Salti.

One of the studies discussed at the meeting was the VALIANT cardiovascular study, which followed a clinical trial of 14,703 patients over an average of two years. As the largest long-term study ever conducted in people who have survived a heart attack, data from the study has been warmly welcomed by the Lebanese medical community.

Delegates had the opportunity to examine the findings of VALIANT, and engaged in an in-depth discussion around the hypertension treatments available within Lebanon.

Professor Antoine Sarkis, Division of Cardiology, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital in Beirut, who was the second speaker at the event, presented data from the study that demonstrated that valsartan, a high blood pressure treatment, can be as effective as conventional ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) inhibitor drugs in reducing the number of repeat heart attacks and hospitalizations of heart patients, with better tolerability profile.