High Blood Pressure and Endothelial Dysfunction: Effects of High Blood Pressure Medications on Endothelial Dysfunction and New Treatments



Rahimmanesh I¹ ; Shahrezaei M¹ ; Rashidi B² Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Research in Medical Sciences Published:2012

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic medical conditions and to this day has remained one of the important problems of public health. Because of relationship between endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, returning the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation is known as one of the important goals of treatment for high blood pressure. Drugs should be able to preserve endothelial function and reduce blood pressure. This has caused the most recent treatments and strategies to improve endothelial function. We review the mechanism of these drugs on endothelial function. Most of the drugs have a positive effect on improving endothelial function and the role of dihydropyridine calcium channel inhibitors such as nifedipine is obvious. Most studies showed lack of adequate control of blood pressure by monotherapy. A combination of calcium channel blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme has been proposed. The use of new drugs such as antioxidant, aldosterone antagonists and the pro-angiogenic factors with nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy, can reduce blood pressure and has a significant impact on the function of epithelium.