Use of lipid-lowering drugs and blood pressure control in patients with arterial hypertension.
A large proportion of patients have both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, two of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Statins are the most widely used drugs for the treatment of plasma lipid abnormalities and have been reported to interact with elevated blood pressure. A reduction in blood pressure associated with the use of these agents has been reported in patients with untreated hypertension and in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs, particularly angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers. This effect on blood pressure control has also been observed in diabetic patients. The mechanism responsible for the hypotensive effect seems to be largely independent of the effect of statins on plasma cholesterol, and probably is related to the interaction of the medications with endothelial function or angiotensin II receptors. The capacity of statins to improve blood pressure control may represent a useful tool for improvement in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Borghi
Claudio
C
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy. claudio@med.unibo.it
Dormi
Ada
A
Veronesi
Maddalena
M
Immordino
Vincenzo
V
Ambrosioni
Ettore
E
D000804:Angiotensin II; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D000804:Angiotensin II