ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS AND BLOOD PRESSURE VARIABILITY
ADRIANA-MIHAELA ILIEŞIU 1,2#, IOAN CORDOȘ 3#, IRINA PÂRVU 1,2*, IOANA VERDE 1, ANDREEA STELA LITEANU 2, ANDREEA SIMONA HODOROGEA 1,2, GEORGE DANIEL RĂDĂVOI 1,2
1.“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, Bucharest, Romania
2.“Prof. Dr. Th. Burghele” Clinical Hospital, 20 Panduri Road, Bucharest, Romania
3.“Marius Nasta” Pneumophtisiology Institut, Thoracic Surgery Department, 90 Viilor Street, Bucharest, Romania
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Blood pressure variability (BPV), including both short-term and long-term blood pressure fluctuations, has recently gained interest and has emerged as an independent cardiovascular risk predictor. Controlling blood pressure levels in hypertension is extremely important in order to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, lowering BPV could also become a therapeutic target, although the ideal method for assessing BPV is still under debate. The effects of antihypertensive drugs on BPV are variable, since BPV depends on many factors. Nevertheless, fixed combinations of drugs, such as calcium channel blocker plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blockers, have been proven to reduce both the calculated average blood pressure and BPV in hypertensive patients, while optimizing adherence. Customized medication according to the circadian rhythm of blood pressure, evaluated by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, is another method to control BPV. The aim of this paper is to review emerging data about BPV and the therapeutic impact of various antihypertensive drugs.
