Introduction to large artery properties as a target for risk reduction by antihypertensive therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To review the effect of antihypertensive drugs on pulsatile stress and shear stress.
Mortality and morbidity in hypertension are better correlated with systolic than diastolic blood pressure, indicating a pulsatile stress effect. Distensibility and compliance are large artery properties and important determinants of pulsatile stress. beta-Blockers with vasodilating properties, several selective beta 1-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium antagonists are first-line antihypertensive drugs that improve these properties of large arteries. The impact of shear stress on the ill effects associated with hypertension is not clear.


CONCLUSIONS
Some but not all classes of antihypertensive drugs can improve large artery properties, and thereby alleviate pulsatile stress.
Van Bortel
L M
LM
Department of Pharmacology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Hoeks
A P
AP
Kool
M J
MJ
Struijker-Boudier
H A
HA
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*; D003187:Compliance / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000187:drug effects*; D012212:Rheology / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents