Objective To observe the effect of combination of antihypertensive and lipid lowering therapy on arterial stiffness in elderly patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Methods A total of 216 elderly patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were enrolled and treated by hydrochlorothiazide as the basic therapy for two weeks. Then the patients were randomly divided into four groups. Namely, the intensified antihypertensive and lipid lowering therapy group (hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/d, Candesartan 8 mg/d, Rosuvastatin 10 mg/d, n=54), the intensified antihypertensive treatment group (hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/d, Candesartan 8 mg/d, n=54), the antihypertensive and lipid lowering therapy group (hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/d, Rosuvastatin 10 mg/d, n=54), and the control group (hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/d, n=54). After 12-month treatment, the blood pressure, blood lipid and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV) of each group were recorded. Results Twelve months later, the SBP, DBP, PP and crPWV of each group were significantly lower than before (Plt;0.05). There was interactive effect of antihypertensive and lipid lowering therapy in lowering SBP, DBP, PP and crPWV (F=40.765, 4.869, 24.829, and 53.149, respectively, all Рlt;0.05). Conclusion The combination of antihypertensive and lipid lowering therapy can significantly lower the crPWV of elderly patients with hypertension and improve the arterial stiffness; it is superior to single treatment of either antihypertensive or lipid lowering.
We correct some misunderstandings of hypertension therapy and update the knowledge of hypertensive drugs by reviewing the progress of evidence-based research of hypertension in 2004.