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What is the purpose of the Diuretic Comparison Project?
The goal of the DCP is to determine which "water-pill" diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide or chlorthalidone, is better at preventing cardiovascular events for people with high blood pressure.
Why is hypertension a concern?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the most common primary diagnosis in America.1 Having high blood pressure means the pressure of the blood in your blood vessels is higher than it should be which then can cause heart damage.2 A person with high blood pressure is 4 times more likely to die from stroke and 3 times more likely to die from heart disease.3
How does this research help Veterans?
More than one million veterans are prescribed thiazide-type diuretics, or "water-pills," for high blood pressure every year.4 If cardiovascular events can be reduced by determining which medication is most effective, then many Veterans will benefit from this study.
Why should this research be conducted at the VA?
The Point of Care (POC) Program uses the VA's unique electronic medical record (EMR) system to perform study activities that would otherwise have to be done at additional clinical visits. By integrating research into clinical care the VA aims to create a 'learning healthcare system' that delivers the best practice medicine to Veterans.
Interested in more information?
For information, please call our Call Center toll-free at 1-888-835-0994.
1 http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/hypertension_iom.htm
2 http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm
3 http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/images/mh_bp_infographic.jpg
4 Ernst ME, Lund BC. Renewed interest in chlorthalidone: evidence from the Veterans Health Administration. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010; 12:927-34.