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news.A new study led by researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK reveals that cholesterol busting statins also have a positive effect on blood pressure levels.
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The research examined 20 studies on the effects of statins that covered 828 patients. Of those studies, 291 patients were given statins, 272 were given a placebo and 265 were on crossover trials.
The overall effect of the use of statins was a 1.9mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure and 0.9mmHg in diastolic blood pressure. The effect was even more pronounced in patients with high blood pressure who showed an average drop of 4mmHg if treated with statins.
This research clearly shows that treatment with statins produces a small but significant reduction in blood pressure. The effect is lower than the average effect of regular antihypertensive drugs.
However, the researchers said this is an added bonus for patients already using statins to reduce cholesterol and the use of statins may reduce the dose and number of drugs a patient would require to keep their blood pressure at a satisfactory level.