National trends in the use of six therapeutic classes to treat hypertension in the United States, 1997–2012.

<p>The utilization of ARBs increased substantially from 3% of visits in 1997 to 18% of visits in 2012. From 1997 to 2008, use of calcium channel blockers declined moderately from 26% to 16%, then increased slightly to 18% of visits by 2012. Trends in diuretic (representing 24–30% of visits) and beta blockers (14–16%) use remained stable.