In a pooled analysis of data of 31 RCTs measuring the effect of CCBs  on stroke  , CCBs  reduced stroke more than placebo and β-adrenergic blockers , but were not different than ACEIs and diuretics .
BACKGROUND Hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of stroke .
It is well known that lowering blood pressure decreases the risk of stroke in people with moderate to severe hypertension .
However , the specific effects of calcium channel blockers ( CCBs ) against stroke in patients with hypertension as compared to no treatment and other antihypertensive drug classes are not known .
Cardiovascular events in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension. A subgroup analysis of treatment strategies in STOP‐Hypertension‐2
Objective : To perform a subgroup analysis on those patients in STOP‐Hypertension‐2 who had isolated systolic hypertension . Design and methods : The STOP‐Hypertension‐2 study evaluated cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in elderly hypertensives comparing treatment with conventional drugs ( diuretics , beta‐blockers ) with that of newer ones [ angiotensin‐converting enzyme ( ACE ) inhibitors , calcium antagonists ] . In all , 6614 elderly patients with hypertension ( mean age 76.0 years , range 70–84 years at baseline ) were included in STOP‐Hypertension‐2 . In the present subgroup analysis of STOP‐Hypertension‐2 , isolated systolic hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure at least 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure below 95 mmHg , in accordance with the Syst‐Eur and Syst‐China study criteria . In total , 2280 patients in STOP‐Hypertension‐2 met these criteria . In the study , patients were r and omized to one of three treatment groups : “ conventional ” antihypertensive therapy with beta‐blockers or diuretics ( atenolol 50 mg , metoprolol 100 mg , pindolol 5 mg , or fixed‐ratio hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg plus amiloride 2.5 mg daily ) ; ACE inhibitors ( enalapril 10 mg or lisinopril 10 mg daily ) ; or calcium antagonists ( felodipine 2.5 mg or isradipine 2.5 mg daily ) . Analysis was by intention to treat . Results : The blood pressure lowering effect in patients with systolic hypertension was similar with all three therapeutic regimens : 35/13 mmHg in the conventional group ( n = 717 ) , 34/12 mmHg in the ACE inhibitor group ( n = 724 ) , and 35/13 mmHg in the calcium antagonist group ( n = 708 ) . Prevention of cardiovascular mortality , the primary endpoint of the study , did not differ between the three treatment groups . All stroke events , i.e. fatal and non‐fatal stroke together , were significantly reduced by 25 % in the newer‐drugs group compared with the conventional group ( 95 % CI 0.58–0.97 ; p = 0.027 ) . This difference was attributable to reduction of non‐fatal stroke while fatal stroke events did not differ between groups . New cases of atrial fibrillation were significantly increased by 43 % ( 95 % CI 1.02–1.99 ; p = 0.037 ) on “ newer ” drugs compared with “ conventional ” therapy , mainly attributable to the calcium antagonists . There were no significant differences between the three treatment groups with respect to the risks of myocardial infa rct ion , sudden death or congestive heart failure . Conclusions : The analysis demonstrated that “ newer ” therapy ( ACE inhibitors/calcium antagonists ) was significantly better ( 25 % ) than “ conventional ” ( diuretics/beta‐blockers ) in preventing all stroke in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension
In a pooled analysis of data of 31 RCTs measuring the effect of CCBs  on stroke  , CCBs  reduced stroke more than placebo and β-adrenergic blockers , but were not different than ACEIs and diuretics .
BACKGROUND Hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of stroke .
It is well known that lowering blood pressure decreases the risk of stroke in people with moderate to severe hypertension .
However , the specific effects of calcium channel blockers ( CCBs ) against stroke in patients with hypertension as compared to no treatment and other antihypertensive drug classes are not known .