A combined role of calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers in stroke prevention

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The importance of lowering blood pressure for reducing the risk of stroke is well established. However, not all the benefits of antihypertensive treatments in stroke can be accounted for by reductions in BP and there may be differences between antihypertensive classes as to which provides optimal protection. Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine, and angiotensin receptor blockers, such as valsartan, represent the two antihypertensive drug classes with the strongest supportive data for the prevention of stroke. Therefore, when combination therapy is required, a combination of these two antihypertensive classes represents a logical approach.

Keywords:

• stroke
• angiotensin
• calcium channel
• cerebrovascular
• hypertension
• blood pressure

Acknowledgments and disclosures

Writing assistance in drafting this article was provided by Graham Allcock, a professional medical writer for ACUMED^®. Financial support for this assistance was provided by Novartis Pharma AG.

Professor Wang has received consulting and lecture fees from Astra-Zeneca, GSK, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Servier, and Takeda, and grants from Omron and Pfizer via the Shanghai Institute of Hypertension.