What evidence was available to the committee about dual therapy for people with hypertension?
The committee reviewed the evidence for starting treatment for primary hypertension with a single antihypertensive medicine compared with starting with 2 antihypertensive medicines at once (dual therapy). Additionally, the committee reviewed the evidence on whether specific subgroups of people with hypertension might benefit from starting on dual therapy, for example people with type 2 diabetes, older people, or those of particular family origins. Some limited evidence from a single study showed that initial dual therapy may reduce cardiovascular events in people with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, but the committee members were disappointed that more comprehensive data was not available.