[FLAG--a program of achievability of target blood pressure levels during treatment of patients with hypertension with fosinopril].

The Program FLAG was initiated by the Scientific Society of Arterial Hypertension in order to assess achievability of WHO/ISH target blood pressure (BP) levels in conventional ambulatory practice. Overall 2829 patients (mean age 53.1 years, 65% women) were enrolled in 17 cities of 5 regions in Russia. Nineteen, 68, 10 and 3% of patients had 1-st, 2-nd, 3-rd degree of blood pressure elevation and isolated systolic hypertension, respectively. During treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor fosinopril (10-20 mg/day) -/+ hydrochlorothiazide BP level 140/90 mm Hg or 'positive effect' (BP lowering et least by 10%) were achieved in 62.1 and 88.8% of cases, respectively. Average BP level decreased from 162.8/98.7 to 134.2/82.5 mm Hg and lowering of systolic and diastolic BP was 17 and 16%, respectively. The regimen of antihypertensive therapy used in the program was well tolerated and safe (adverse effects were registered in 8.3% of patients, in 5.2% of patients these effects lead to withdrawal of fosinopril). The therapy was equally effective in men and women irrespective of age. The results allow to recommend the treatment scheme tested in the FLAG program for use in multiple patients with hypertension.