Effects of antihypertensive drugs on SBP variability are dose-dependent and persist when used in combinations .
Use of a high dose of a calcium channel blocker alone or in combination with other agents is therefore likely to be particularly effective in prevention of stroke
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recent studies have shown that visit-to-visit blood pressure variability is a powerful risk factor for stroke , is reduced by calcium channel blockers and diuretics , and increased by β-blockers .
However , it is unknown whether these effects are dose-dependent and persist in combination with other drugs .
Effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on blood pressure variation in patients with moderate hypertension
Summary The effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on blood pressure variation was studied in ten patients with moderate hypertension .  Supine systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured every 5 min during six hours sessions , using an ultrasonic method . Systolic and diastolic variation in each six hour session was defined as the st and ard deviation of the mean of systolic and diastolic readings made in that period . After 3 weeks of single-blind placebo , a 12 week double-blind r and omized crossover study was initiated with placebo ( 6 weeks ) and atenolol ( 100 mg b. i. d. for 3 weeks and 200 mg b. i. d. for 3 weeks ) . Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased significantly ( p<0.01 ) during atenolol treatment . Diastolic variation did not change significantly , whereas systolic variation decreased slightly but significantly ( p<0.05 ) when expressed in absolute values , but not when expressed as a percentage of systolic blood pressure . It is concluded that beta-adrenergic blockade decreases blood pressure and heart rate without causing significant changes in spontaneous systolic or diastolic
Effects of antihypertensive drugs on SBP variability are dose-dependent and persist when used in combinations .
Use of a high dose of a calcium channel blocker alone or in combination with other agents is therefore likely to be particularly effective in prevention of stroke
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recent studies have shown that visit-to-visit blood pressure variability is a powerful risk factor for stroke , is reduced by calcium channel blockers and diuretics , and increased by β-blockers .
However , it is unknown whether these effects are dose-dependent and persist in combination with other drugs .