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Antihypertensive medications and C-reactive protein in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

Walter Palmas1, Shuangge Ma, Bruce Psaty

  • 1Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.

American Journal of Hypertension
|February 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Beta-blocker use, and ACE inhibitor/ARB use in monotherapy, correlate with lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in hypertension patients. These findings suggest potential benefits for specific antihypertensive medication choices.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • The impact of various antihypertensive medication classes on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels remains incompletely understood.
  • CRP is a marker of inflammation, and its association with cardiovascular disease necessitates investigation into factors influencing its levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between different classes of antihypertensive medications and serum CRP levels.
  • To explore potential differences in CRP levels based on medication class in treated hypertensive individuals.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
  • Participants with treated hypertension, free of cardiovascular disease, were included, categorized by antihypertensive medication class (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors/ARBs).

Main Results:

  • Mean CRP levels were significantly lower in participants taking beta-blockers compared to those not on beta-blockers (2.13 vs 2.54 mg/L, P = .002), persisting after adjustment.
  • In monotherapy analysis, beta-blocker use was associated with lower CRP than diuretics (1.97 vs 2.72 mg/L, P < .001).
  • ACE inhibitor/ARB use was also associated with lower CRP than diuretics in monotherapy (2.25 mg/L, P = .046).

Conclusions:

  • Beta-blocker use is linked to reduced CRP levels overall and in monotherapy.
  • ACE inhibitor and ARB use in monotherapy is also associated with lower CRP levels.
  • Further randomized trials are recommended to confirm these associations and their clinical implications.
Abstract

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