Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) constitute the first-line therapies for patients with newly diagnosed hypertension. The prospective registry, Treatment with Azilsartan Compared to ACE Inhibitors in Antihypertensive Therapy (EARLY), assessed the effectiveness of the ARB azilsartan medoxomil (AZL-M) vs. ACE inhibitors in real-world patients. Out of 1153 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension included in the registry, 789 were prescribed azilsartan and 364 were prescribed an ACE inhibitor. Following multivariate adjustment, azilsartan was noted to yield superior blood pressure (BP) reduction and better target BP (<140/90 mm Hg) achievement. The proportion of patients with adverse events was not statistically different between groups. Researchers concluded that in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, azilsartan provides superior BP control with a similar safety profile compared with ACE inhibitors. The findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension (Greenwich).