Antihypertensive drugs reduce headache but it is unclear whether there are differences between drug classes .
Calcium channel blockers ( CCBs ) decrease variability in systolic blood pressure ( SBPV ) and stroke risk more than other classes , possibly due to decreased vascular tone .
If so , there might be a correlation between drug-class effects on variability in SBP and on headache .
Antihypertensive drugs reduce headache but the effect differs between classes , corresponding to their effects on SBPV and the risk of stroke .
This may partly be explained by consistent antihypertensive class effects on vascular tone in the peripheral ( variability ) and cerebrovascular circulations ( headache )
Hemodynamic Influences of Losartan on the Brain in Hypertensive Patients
The effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers on cerebral hemodynamics in humans have not been well eluci date d. The present study evaluated the effects of losartan on cerebral hemodynamics in hypertensive patients using positron emission tomography . Ten patients with essential hypertension ( mean age , 60.8 years ) were examined . In each patient , regional cerebral blood flow was measured by [ O-15 ] labeled water positron emission tomography before and after the oral administration of losartan for 8 to 23 weeks . In 8 patients , the baseline regional cerebral blood flow measurement was followed by 1,000 mg of acetazolamide challenge to measure the cerebral perfusion reserve . Systemic blood pressures before and after treatment were 153.8±10.8/96.0±6.5 mmHg ( systolic mean±SD/diastolic mean±SD ) and 133.4±11.2/83.6±6.5 mmHg , respectively ; this difference was significant . The baseline global cerebral blood flow values before and after treatment were 38.4±6.9 ml/min/100 g and 38.2±8.2 ml/min/100 g , respectively ; this difference was not significant . The results of the global cerebral blood flow response to the acetazolamide challenges were not statistically different before and after treatment . A regional analysis showed no statistical difference in regional cerebral blood flow or cerebral perfusion reserve throughout the brain before and after treatment . Losartan 's effect on reducing the blood pressure did not affect either the baseline regional cerebral blood flow or the cerebral perfusion reserve in patients with mild to moderate hypertension . The inclusion of losartan in anti-hypertensive regimens could be advantageous for cerebral circulation in patients with essential hypertension
Antihypertensive drugs reduce headache but it is unclear whether there are differences between drug classes .
Calcium channel blockers ( CCBs ) decrease variability in systolic blood pressure ( SBPV ) and stroke risk more than other classes , possibly due to decreased vascular tone .
If so , there might be a correlation between drug-class effects on variability in SBP and on headache .
Antihypertensive drugs reduce headache but the effect differs between classes , corresponding to their effects on SBPV and the risk of stroke .
This may partly be explained by consistent antihypertensive class effects on vascular tone in the peripheral ( variability ) and cerebrovascular circulations ( headache )