What is the initial therapy for hypertension in non-black patients?

The initial therapy for hypertension in non-black patients is typically thiazide diuretics. These medications are often the first-line treatment due to their effectiveness in lowering blood pressure and reducing cardiovascular events. Thiazide diuretics work by decreasing blood volume through the excretion of sodium and water, leading to reduced vascular resistance. They also have additional benefits, such as improving outcomes in patients with heart failure and reducing the incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease.

While other classes of antihypertensive medications, like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, can be effective, thiazides are favored as the initial therapy in this patient population based on guidelines and clinical studies that demonstrate their effectiveness and favorable impact on morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension.