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Renin-angiotensin system blockade and reduction of cardiovascular risk: future perspectives
1Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Mutua Terrassa, Plaza Dr Robert 5, 08021 Terrassa, Spain. adelasierra@mutuaterrassa.es
Insights
Renin-angiotensin system blockers offer cardiovascular benefits but residual risk remains. New strategies are needed to further reduce cardiovascular disease risk in patients on these therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, including ACE inhibitors and ARBs, are beneficial in cardiovascular disease.
- These drugs lower blood pressure, prevent subclinical disease markers like microalbuminuria, and reduce events in patients with lesions.
- RAS blockers prolong survival in patients with clinical disease or organ dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for reducing residual cardiovascular disease risk in patients treated with RAS blockers.
- To explore options beyond current RAS blockade for enhanced cardiovascular protection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on cardiovascular disease prevention and risk reduction.
- Analysis of therapeutic strategies aimed at improving outcomes in patients on RAS blockers.
Main Results:
- Despite benefits, residual cardiovascular risk persists in patients treated with RAS blockers.
- Several strategies can potentially lower this residual risk.
Conclusions:
- Primary prevention in healthy individuals is crucial.
- Stricter therapeutic goals and comprehensive risk factor control are necessary.
- Enhanced RAS blockade and combination therapies with synergistic mechanisms may further reduce cardiovascular risk.
Abstract:
Treatment with renin-angiotensin system blockers (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers) has shown clear benefits in distinct stages of cardiovascular disease. These treatments lower blood pressure and prevent the appearance of markers of subclinical disease (such as microalbuminuria), reduce cardiovascular and renal events in patients with subclinical lesions, and prolong survival in patients with clinical disease or organ dysfunction. Despite this unquestionable benefit, the residual risk in patients receiving these treatments often continues to be high and, consequently, strategies to reduce such risk are required. The present article reviews options that may help to reduce cardiovascular disease in such patients. They include efforts of primary prevention in healthy individuals, stricter therapeutic goals, comprehensive risk control, a more complete blocking of the renin-angiotensin system and the use of combinations of drugs with synergistic protective mechanisms.
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