Effects of Valsartan and Nebivolol Treatment on Blood Pressure Variability in Hypertensive Patients

BackgroundThe exploration of Blood Pressure (BP) variability and of theinfluence of different antihypertensive drugs on BP variabilitymay improve understanding of the mechanism involved in BPchanges induced by drugs. We therefore evaluated the longtermeffects of the angiotensin-receptor blocker Valsartan andof the ultraselective beta blocker Nebivolol.MethodsA prospective study was conducted at the regional outpatientDiagnosis and Treatment Center from Cluj-Napoca, Romania.The study included newly diagnosed adult hypertensives ofeither sex. All patients underwent 24 hour ambulatory bloodpressure monitoring (ABPM) and systolic and diastolic 24hour blood pressure variability was measured. A total of 80hypertensive patients were randomely assigned to receive 80mg of Valsartan or 5 mg of Nebivolol. Patients were dividedinto two groups according to antihypertensive medication:group A included 42 hypertensive patients treated withValsartan and group B included 38 hypertensive patientstreated with Nebivolol.ResultsBoth Valsartan and Nebivolol decreased 24h BP variability butlong-term treatment with Valsartan proved to be moreefficient in reducing SBP variability during the night timeperiod. Valsartan reduces more the systolic BP variabilityduring the night time period when compared to Nebivolol.Conclusions:Treatment with ARBs (Valsartan) and BBs (Nebivolol)efficiently reduced the BP variability during the day andnight period of time as first line antihypertensive agents.Valsartan reduces more the systolic BP variability duringthe night time period when compared to Nebivolol.Antihypertensive treatment using long acting agents likean angiotensin receptor blocker or an ultraselective betablocker could offer a better cardiovascular protection byreducing the BP variability.