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 .
Effects of BAYl 5240, a fixed combination of low dose nifedipine and acebutolol on hypertension: Comparison with standard dose nifedipine
Summary 116 patients from 4 clinics participated in a double blind study to assess the efficacy of ( BAYl 5240 ) , a nifedipine-acebutolol fixed combination ( 10 mg+100 mg ) , as compared to nifedipine 20 mg in essential hypertension . During the 10 week study , the mean recumbent blood pressure decreased 1 to 3 h after treatment from 175.5/105.2 to 148.3/88.0 mmHg in the BAY1 5240 group and from 174.3/102.9 to 150.3/86.5 mmHg in the nifedipine group . The results also showed a comparable decrease in the mean systolic ( SBP ) and diastolic ( DBP ) blood pressures before treatment ( 24 h after last tablet ) and after physical exertion before and after either drug given for 4 weeks . Doubling of the dose for 4 additional weeks produced a moderate and similar additional decrease in blood pressure . The results show the possibility of treating essential hypertension with a low dose of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent in combination with 10 mg nifedipine . Both regimens were well tolerated . One patient in the BAYl 5240 group and 2 in the nifedipine group , all treated by the same investigator , were withdrawn from the study because of headache during the nifedipine pre-period
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 .