Pravastatin Doesn't Lower Blood Pressure in Patients with Mild Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia

Statins lower risk for cardiovascular disease and death by lowering blood lipid levels. These drugs also might lower cardiovascular risk through their pleiotropic (i.e., anti-inflammatory) effects. Recent observational data suggest a third mechanism: lower blood pressure. In this randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial, Italian investigators assessed whether pravastatin lowered blood pressure in addition to lowering blood cholesterol concentrations.

Overall, 508 patients (age range, 45–70) with mild hypertension and hyperlipidemia were randomized to receive hydrochlorothiazide or fosinopril and also were randomized to receive pravastatin or placebo. During an average follow-up of 2.6 years, pravastatin recipients had greater reducti…