A review of stroke in patients with hypertension and coronary artery disease: focus on calcium channel blockers

Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for stroke - increasing the risk significantly. The presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), which often coexists with hypertension, also predicts an increased risk of stroke. Lowering blood pressure (BP) to target in patients with hypertension can significantly reduce the incidence of fatal and non-fatal stroke. Effective BP control is even more important in CAD patients who are at greater risk of stroke. Data regarding the effects of antihypertensive therapy on stroke in patients with angina or CAD are limited and have been variable. To date, BP management strategies in patients with CAD have relied on small subsets of data based on high-risk hypertensive patients. Results with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have been more positive than those with other classes of antihypertensive agents. Findings from the ACTION trial have provided a significant insight into the benefits of CCBs in patients with CAD and hypertension. Nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS), in addition to best practice therapy for stable angina pectoris, contributes to a significant reduction in the risk of stroke in patients with CAD and hypertension who are at high risk and require effective BP control. Moreover, the incidence of stroke is significantly related to baseline BP, which may be an important factor to consider when deciding on treatment strategies in high-risk patients with CAD.