New Drug Combination, Better for Blood Pressure

Major new research suggests that a combination of modern drugs is better at lowering blood pressure than the one traditionally prescribed, and also more effective at reducing risk of heart disease and stroke.

The findings of the study led by Dr. Bjorn Dahlof of Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Goteborg, Sweden were presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Cardiology. They prompted debate because they contradict an earlier study, and there were experts who sustain the idea that the newer pills may have proved more effective because they have few side effects as compared to the older ones and might have been taken on a more regular basis by patients.

19,257 patients with high blood pressure were included in the study, of which approximately half were treated with the older combination - a beta-blocker called atenolol, to slow the heart rate and a diuretic, to reduce fluid in the body, and the other half received the modern treatment, made of a calcium blocker called amlodopine (to slow the heart rate) and an ACE inhibitor called perindopril, which has the role of lowering blood pressure by relaxing the vessels.

After 5 years, the results indicated a blood pressure level that was 2.7 points lower in people taking the newer medication, as compared to those treated traditionally. Also, the incidence of strokes was 23% lower, of heart-related deaths, 24% lower and there were 30% fewer new diagnosis of diabetes. As for complications, there was no difference between the two groups.

The study stopped prematurely when it reached these results, because it was considered unethical to continue, given such a big difference between the two groups.

Other problems raised at the conference included whether heart attacks, strokes and deaths were lowered because of the lowered blood pressure, or due to other benefits the drug combination has that are yet to be discovered.

The study was mainly funded by Pfizer, manufacturer of the new calcium blocker.

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