Hypertension Management Beyond Blood Pressure Control in India: An Expert Consensus on Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker and Calcium Channel Blocker Combination Therapy With Reference to Telmisartan and Cilnidipine

Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally, with particularly low control rates in India. Beyond controlling blood pressure (BP), effective management must address associated comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A multidisciplinary panel of experts, including cardiologists, nephrologists, and physicians, developed this consensus through six advisory board meetings. A comprehensive literature review of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews published between 2019 and 2025 was conducted via PubMed and Google Scholar. Key topics included pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of hypertension, combination therapy, and comorbidity-focused treatment strategies. Early screening for hypertension-mediated organ damage and the use of combination therapy, specifically telmisartan and cilnidipine for their complementary benefits, were emphasized. Evidence showed improved BP control, reduced proteinuria, and organ protection in individuals with CVD, CKD, and T2DM. Non-pharmacological interventions such as dietary modification, physical activity, smoking cessation, stress management, and adherence to therapy through fixed-dose combinations were also endorsed. This expert consensus supports a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to hypertension management in India. Available evidence suggests that cilnidipine and telmisartan may offer potential benefits beyond BP reduction, largely based on pharmacologic properties and surrogate outcomes. Future large-scale, randomized, comparative outcome trials are needed to better define the relative clinical benefits of this combination.