Statin therapy significantly reduced mean systolic blood pressure by 2.62 mm Hg (95% CI, -3.41 to -1.84; P<.001) and diastolic blood pressure by 0.94 mm Hg compared to control.
Meta-Analysis (n=45,113)
Does statin therapy reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to standard treatment or placebo?
Statin therapy is associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which may contribute to their pleiotropic cardiovascular benefits.
Mean Difference: -2.62 (95% CI -3.41–-1.84)
p-value: p=<.001
In experimental studies, statins have been shown to lower blood pressure through increased nitric oxide bioavailability and improved arterial compliance. The clinical significance of this effect remains poorly documented. The authors performed a meta-analysis of the effect of statins on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) including prospective randomized, controlled trials of statin therapy. EMBASE and MEDLINE searches for studies in which patients were randomized to treatment with a statin plus standard treatment (or placebo) vs standard treatment (or placebo) were conducted. Studies that provided data on SBP and DBP values before the initiation of the treatment and at the end of the follow-up period were included. A total of 40 studies with 51 comparison groups examining 22,511 controls and 22,602 patients taking statins were examined. Mean SBP in the statin group decreased by 2.62 mm Hg (95% confidence interval CI, -3.41 to -1.84; P<.001) and DBP by 0.94 mm Hg (95% CI, -1.31 to -0.57; P<.001). In studies including hypertensive patients, the decrease in blood pressures with statins was slightly greater (SBP, -3.07 mm Hg; 95% CI, -4.00 to -2.15 and DBP, 1.04; 95% CI, -1.47 to -0.61). Similarly, statins effectively reduced SBP in diabetic patients. In this large meta-analysis of prospective controlled studies, the authors found a small but statistically significant reduction of SBP in patients taking statins. The decrease in blood pressure may contribute to the pleiotropic effect of statins in reducing cardiovascular risk.
Briasoulis et al. (Thu,) reported a meta-analysis. Statins vs. Standard treatment or placebo was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD -2.62 mm Hg, 95% CI -3.41 to -1.84, p=<.001). Statin therapy significantly reduced mean systolic blood pressure by 2.62 mm Hg (95% CI, -3.41 to -1.84; P<.001) and diastolic blood pressure by 0.94 mm Hg compared to control.