Benicar Can Reverse Blood Vessel Damage in High Blood Pressure Patients
Dr. Carlos Ferrario, M.D. Director of the Hypertension and Vascular Research Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, has released a study showing that there is evidence about benefits of angiotensin receptor blocker medications indicates that they can prevent or reverse blood vessel damage in hypertensive patients.
The research looked at the effects of an angiotensin receptor blocker, Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) compared to a beta-blocker (atenolol) on blood vessel function in patients with early hypertension. High blood pressure causes stiffening and thickening of blood vessel walls and can lead to damage to the fragile lining of the arteries which may result in blockage of the blood vessels. Preventing this type of damage would have significant health benefits.
Olmesartan medoxomil is marketed in the United States as Benicar and in Europe as Olmetec by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., which funded the study.
Following twelve months of treatment, Benicar improved the artery damage in high blood pressure patients and changed artery structure to normal levels. Atenolol did not have this effect on the blood vessels.
Benicar is a drug in a class of antihypertensive medications which can lower blood pressure by blocking the angiotensin II receptor on the blood vessels. Angiotensin II receptors cause blood vessel narrowing and raise blood pressure. Benicar blocks the release of a hormone that results in sodium retention and causes an increase in blood volume.
High blood pressure is extremely common and affects on third of Americans. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause damage to the heart brain and kidneys.
Benicar is being used in clinical trials,to study the drug’s effectiveness in preventing kidney damage in patients with type 2 diabetes.
ref: http://www1.wfubmc.edu/News/NewsARticle.htm?ArticleID=2389
