title: Stroke prevention: is it possible? If so, which antihypertensive agent should be used?
abstract: The importance of blood pressure control in stroke prevention is supported by a large body of clinical evidence. However, it is not known which antihypertensive agents are most effective in preventing stroke. As stroke is characterised by vascular remodelling and dysfunction and by effects on the cerebral circulation, selecting an agent that has a direct vascular protective effect beyond blood pressure control may be desirable. Results with the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in clinical trials (LIFE and SCOPE) support the findings in animal models that ARBs may be a promising therapeutic option for prevention of stroke and possibly, cognitive decline.
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D019808:Losartan / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D019808:Losartan; C081643:candesartan