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Impact of losartan on stroke risk in hypertensive patients in primary care

K Bestehorn1, Klaus Wahle

  • 1Medical Department, MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH, Munich/Haar, Germany. kurt.bestehorn@msd.de

Clinical Drug Investigation
|April 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Losartan therapy significantly reduced blood pressure and stroke risk in hypertensive patients, including those with comorbidities. This angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) treatment was well-tolerated and demonstrated a 24% relative risk reduction in predicted 10-year stroke risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Management
  • Stroke Prevention

Background:

  • Arterial hypertension is a primary predictor of stroke risk.
  • The angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (ARB) losartan showed stroke risk reduction in the LIFE study.
  • Primary care hypertension management requires effective stroke risk reduction strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate losartan's impact on stroke risk in primary care patients.
  • To assess blood pressure reduction and its effect on predicted stroke risk.
  • To analyze losartan's efficacy in a large, unselected hypertensive population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, observational study in 2977 German primary care practices.
  • Inclusion of 22,499 unselected hypertensive patients.
  • Calculation of 10-year predicted stroke risk using Framingham Score at baseline and after losartan (+/- hydrochlorothiazide) therapy.

Main Results:

  • Mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure decreased by -21/-11 mm Hg.
  • Average predicted 10-year stroke risk reduced from 28.0% to 22.1% (24% relative risk reduction).
  • Losartan was well-tolerated with minimal non-serious adverse events.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertensive patients in primary care often have high stroke risk due to comorbidities.
  • Losartan therapy effectively lowers blood pressure and reduces associated stroke risk.
  • Losartan treatment is well-tolerated and beneficial for stroke risk reduction in hypertensive patients.
Abstract

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