Treatment of hypertension in renal transplant recipients

Purpose of review Hypertension is very common in renal transplant recipients and is a significant risk factor for mortality from cardiovascular diseases and for development of graft dysfunction. Recent findings Recent guidelines for the treatment of hypertension (Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure VI Report and World Health Organization Guidelines) do not directly address post-transplant hypertension. Specific recommendations for the drug treatment of hypertension in renal allograft recipients have not been given in the Clinical Practice Guidelines of the American Society of Transplantation or those of the European Renal Association. Summary The present paper summarizes some important aspects of post-transplant hypertension and discusses potential treatment strategies aimed at reducing blood pressure and thus improving patient and allograft survival.