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Analysis of antihypertensive effects of statins

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Abstract

Hypertension and hyperlipidemia, two powerful risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), often coexist. Therefore, treatment should consider the beneficial properties of drugs used to treat either condition. Statins, the mainstay of lipid-lowering therapy, result in a significant clinical benefit both in primary and secondary CVD prevention. In addition to their hypolipidemic capacity, other properties may contribute to statin-induced benefits. Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that statins may modulate blood pressure (BP). The mechanisms by which statins reduce BP seem to be largely independent of their lipid effects. Although small, reductions in BP are possibly clinically relevant. Large landmark studies confirm that statins can reduce CVD risk in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that statins could be prescribed as an adjunct in treating hypertension with dyslipidemia or even in patients with “normal” cholesterol levels. Whether the effect of statins on BP is accompanied by an additional decrease in clinical outcomes needs to be investigated in long-term, large-scale trials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Vascular Disease Prevention Clinics, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK

    Dimitri P. Mikhailidis MD, FFPM, FRCP, FRCPath

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  1. Haralampos J. Milionis MD
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  2. Evagelos N. Liberopoulos MD
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  3. Moses S. Elisaf MD
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  4. Dimitri P. Mikhailidis MD, FFPM, FRCP, FRCPath
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Correspondence to Dimitri P. Mikhailidis MD, FFPM, FRCP, FRCPath.

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Milionis, H.J., Liberopoulos, E.N., Elisaf, M.S. et al. Analysis of antihypertensive effects of statins. Current Science Inc 9, 175–183 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-007-0032-4

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