Current role of statins in the treatment of essential hypertension

Importance of the field: Hypertension and hyperlipidemia often co-exist and seem to be interrelated through common pathophysiological pathways. Drugs employing beneficial effects in both conditions could be advantageous in a concerted effective management of patients at high cardiovascular risk. Statins are known to enhance cardiovascular protection beyond their lipid-lowering capacity. Areas covered in this review: MEDLINE was searched, up to January 2010, for studies assessing the effect of statin treatment on blood pressure control in various populations or animal models of hypertension. The potential mechanisms implicated in the putative antihypertensive action of statins are also reviewed. What the reader will gain: To learn about the role of statins as potential antihypertensive drugs in various populations. Clinical advice for the use of statins either as monotherapy or in combination with antihypertensive drugs in high-risk populations is also provided. Take home message: Statins may exert a mild, but clinically relevant, antihypertensive effect which is probably mediated by mechanisms that are independent of their lipid-lowering effects. Patients with high BP levels at baseline as well as those treated with ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are expected to benefit more in this regard.