Halting arterial aging in patients with cardiovascular disease: hypolipidemic and antihypertensive therapy

Aging is associated with arterial stiffening and subsequent acceleration of pulse wave movement. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia are associated with increased arterial stiffness, a 'premature' arterial aging. Antihypertensive drugs exhibit beneficial effects on arterial stiffness, both at the central and peripheral level, and these effects are mainly attributed to blood pressure reduction per se. However, additional benefits of the renin-angiotensin system inhibitors have been recently suggested. Furthermore, a disparity in the effects of beta-blockers on arterial stiffness between conventional and vasodilatory agents has also been suggested. Statin treatment is an essential element of cardiovascular therapy and statins are frequently administered by patients with cardiovascular risk factors or established cardiovascular disease. The effects of statins on arterial stiffness are not yet well established. Moreover, the effects of combining statins with antihypertensive drugs or other strategies to attenuate arterial aging are not adequately studied. The aim of the current review is to present the effects of available therapeutic strategies on arterial stiffness with special emphasis on hypolipidemic and antihypertensive drugs, critically evaluate available information and provide future perspectives in this field.