Statin Use Patterns among hypertensive Patients in a population-based study

Although previous studies have assessed the role of statins in managing cardiovascular risk and reducing blood pressure, few have examined their use patterns in relation to hypertension control at population level. This study addresses this gap among Iranian hypertensive patients.

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the 2021 WHO STEPwise approach to Non-communicable Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) in Iran, encompassing all 31 provinces. The study included 6,216 adults aged ≥ 25 years with hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication. Participants with missing data for key variables were excluded. Logistic and linear regression models were used to examine associations between statin use, demographic and clinical characteristics, and blood pressure control (SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg).

Among included 6,216 hypertensive patients, 1,815 (29.2%) were statin users, predominantly older (mean age: 61.79 years) and female (63.14%). Statin use was significantly associated with a 2.04 mmHg reduction in SBP (95% CI: -3.59, -0.48), whereas the association with DBP was non-significant (0.38 mmHg increase in (95% CI: -0.67 to 1.44). In fully adjusted models, statin use was not associated with blood pressure control (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.79-1.21).

Despite the high frequency of comorbidities in patients with hypertension, statin use remains low, which needs to great attention by clinicians. In addition, the observed association between statin use and blood pressure in current study is required to further clinical trials or cohort studies to confirm.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-026-02018-y.