The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7203 p861-867
22 June 2002

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Heart function also improved by antihypertensives

Treating high blood pressure improves the function of the heart as well as lowering blood pressure, say researchers.

In a sub-study of the LIFE (losartan intervention for endpoint) trial, 647 hypertensive patients who had been randomly assigned to receive atenolol or losartan to reduce their blood pressure underwent an echocardiogram, at the start of the study and then yearly for the next two years. After each echocardiogram, the patient's blood pressure was measured as well as the mass of the patient's left ventricle and its contractility.

The researchers found that, overall, blood pressure was reduced from an average 174/95 mmHg at the start of the study to 147/82 mmHg at three years. This was accompanied by a reduction in left ventricular mass and an improvement in ventricular contractility.

"Our results prove ... that there are benefits for heart muscle from effective, sustained control of hypertension. This is one more reason for doctors to be persistent in helping patients reduce their blood pressure to normal levels," said Professor Richard Devereux, director of the echocardiology laboratory at New York Presbyterian Hospital and one of the trial investigators. The study is published as a rapid access article on the Circulation website (www.circulationaha.org).