What evidence exists of differences in the response to BP medications between men and women?
Currently, there is no compelling evidence that there are differences in the response to BP medications between men and women; however, in large-scale reviews that examined the efficacy of -blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and diuretics, there is no mention that sex-specific efficacy end points were evaluated or even considered. Some studies have suggested that antihypertensive medication use is significantly higher among women than men (61.4% versus 56.8%). Among treated hypertensive people, the proportion taking 3 antihypertensive drugs was lower among women than men, especially among older people (60-69 years of treated women achieved BP control versus 51.1% of treated men). Notably, hypertensive women are significantly more likely to be treated than men but less likely to have achieved BP control.