Current role of statins in the treatment of essential hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Hypertension and hyperlipidemia often co-exist and seem to be interrelated through common pathophysiological pathways. Drugs employing beneficial effects in both conditions could be advantageous in a concerted effective management of patients at high cardiovascular risk. Statins are known to enhance cardiovascular protection beyond their lipid-lowering capacity.


METHODS
MEDLINE was searched, up to January 2010, for studies assessing the effect of statin treatment on blood pressure control in various populations or animal models of hypertension. The potential mechanisms implicated in the putative antihypertensive action of statins are also reviewed.


RESULTS
To learn about the role of statins as potential antihypertensive drugs in various populations. Clinical advice for the use of statins either as monotherapy or in combination with antihypertensive drugs in high-risk populations is also provided.


CONCLUSIONS
Statins may exert a mild, but clinically relevant, antihypertensive effect which is probably mediated by mechanisms that are independent of their lipid-lowering effects. Patients with high BP levels at baseline as well as those treated with ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are expected to benefit more in this regard.
Kostapanos
Michael S
MS
University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece.
Milionis
Haralampos J
HJ
Elisaf
Moses S
MS
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors