Effects of Atorvastatin on Resting and Peak Exercise Blood Pressure among Normotensive Men and Women. (18th November 2014) - Zaleski, Amanda L.
Abstract : Statins are the most widely prescribed and effective medication for reducing low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Statins may also lower resting blood pressure (BP); however, results are inconsistent. We sought to determine if the maximum dose of atorvastatin reduces resting BP and the peak systolic BP (SBP) achieved on a graded exercise stress test (GEST) among a large sample of 419 healthy men (48%) and women (52%). Subjects (419, 44.1 ± 0.8 yr) were double-blinded and randomized to 80 mg· d −1 of atorvastatin (n = 202 ) or placebo (n = 217 ) for 6 mo. Among the total sample, there were no differences in resting BP (SBP, P = 0.30 ; diastolic BP [DBP], P = 0.69 ; mean arterial pressure (P = 0.76 ); or peak SBP on a GEST (P = 0.99 )) over 6 mo, regardless of drug treatment group. However, among women on atorvastatin, resting SBP/DBP (3.7 ± 1.5 mmHg, P = 0.01 / 3.2 ± 0.9 mmHg, P = 0.02 ) and peak SBP on a GEST (6.5 ± 1.5 mmHg, P = 0.04 ) were lower versus men. Atorvastatin lowered resting BP 3-4 mmHg and peak SBP on a GEST ~7 mmHg more among women than men over 6 mo of treatment. The inconsistent findings regarding the antihypertensive effects of statins may be partially explained by not accounting for sex effects.