Article by Disease – “Efficacy and Safety Assessment of Hypertension Management with Coveram (Perindopril/Amlodipine Fixed Combination) in Patients with Previous Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) Treatment: Arabian Gulf STRONG Study”

Article by Disease on “Cardiology

Abstract:

Objective: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of hypertension management with Coveram (perindopril/amlodipine combination) in patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP). All patients were on previous angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment.

Methods: This was a 3 country, multi-centre (7 cities), open-label, observational study in the Arabian Gulf. Patients (18 years) were recruited between October 2012 and November 2013 and followed-up for 3 months after enrolment. Outcomes included changes in BP from baseline and BP goal attainment rates as per Joint National Committee- 8 (<140/90 mmHg for diabetics and those <60 years of age and <150/90 mmHg for those 60 years of age without diabetes). Medication tolerance was also assessed from both patient and physician perspectives.

Results: Hypertensive patients (n=760; mean age: 51±10 years; 67% were males) were included. A total of 178 patients (23%) were lost to follow-up. The perindopril/amlodipine combination was associated with an overall reduction in systolic BP (SBP) (31 mmHg; p<0.001) and diastolic BP (DBP) (18 mmHg; p<0.001) from baseline. An overall BP control rate was achieved in 87% (n=507) of the participants. There were significant incremental BP reductions with dose up-titration, especially SBP (p<0.001). Those with high SBP (>180 mmHg) at baseline were associated with a mean reduction of 59 mmHg (p<0.001). The perindopril/amlodipine combination had excellent tolerance levels over the study period from both patient and physician perspectives (at 99% and 98%, respectively; p<0.001).

Conclusions: The perindopril/amlodipine combination is an effective and well tolerated anti-hypertensive option in patients on previous ARB treatment.

Read more: http://www.eurekaselect.com/node/144156/article

Dark chocolate and blood pressure

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The goal of this study was to assess the effect of dark chocolate intake on cardiovascular parameters like blood pressure and heart rate values in a normotensive population. http://bit.ly/1FeQgnW

This article is from the journal Current Drug Delivery