Atorvastatin Lowers BP in Normolipidemic Subjects

Intensive cholesterol reduction with atorvastatin lowers blood pressure (BP) and large artery stiffness in normolipidemic subjects. That, according to a randomized double-blind trial reported in the March 20 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

"Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is associated with elevated cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and is primarily due to large artery stiffening, which has been independently related to CV mortality," write Kathryn E. Ferrier, BSc (Hons), and colleagues from the Baker Medical Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia. "Cholesterol-lowering therapy has been efficacious in reducing arterial stiffness in patients with hypercholesterolemia, and thus may be beneficial in ISH."

In a cross-over study design, 22 patients with stage I ISH received 3 months of atorvastatin therapy (80 mg/day) and 3 months of placebo treatment. Atorvastatin reduced total cholesterol by 36%±2% (P<.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 48%+3% (P<.001) and triglyceride levels by 23%±5% (P=.003), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 7%±3% (P=.03).

Systemic arterial compliance measured noninvasively using carotid applanation tonometry and Doppler velocimetry of the ascending aorta was higher after atorvastatin treatment. Compared with placebo, atorvastatin treatment also reduced brachial systolic BP (154±3 mm HG vs 148+2 mm Hg, P=.03), mean BP (111±2 vs 107+2 mm Hg, P=.04) and diastolic BP (83±1 vs 81+2 mm Hg, P=.04).

"Intensive cholesterol reduction may be beneficial in the treatment of patients with ISH and normal lipid levels, through a reduction in large artery stiffness," the authors write. "Such therapy may be beneficial in slowing the progression of ISH and reducing coronary disease-associated risk." J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002;39(6):1020-1025