Managing blood pressure variability with olmesartan

This study investigated if olmesartan (Benicar) reduced blood pressure variability over 24 hours. They found that combination therapy with olmesartan improved blood pressure levels and reduced blood pressure variability.

Managing hypertension (high blood pressure) involves using either medication or lifestyle modification to lower blood pressure levels. However, reducing blood pressure variability is also important. Changes in blood pressure are important because large variability may increase heart damage. 24-hour blood pressure monitoring can measure blood pressure variability.  

Olmesartan is a drug that is very effective at reducing blood pressure levels. It acts by blocking the angiotensin II receptor, which reduces the amount of blood in the vessel, in turn reducing blood pressure. It is not known if olmesartan is effective at reducing blood pressure variability.

This study investigated the effects of olmesartan or other anti-hypertensive medications on blood pressure variability.

This study included 3542 patients with mild to moderate hypertension from 10 different clinical trials. In these trials, patients were treated with either olmesartan alone, or a combination of olmesartan and other medications or placebo (inactive drug). The results from 24-hour ambulatory (moving) blood pressure were analyzed. Calculations were performed to examine blood pressure variability.

Combination therapy with multiple drugs led to greater reductions in blood pressure compared to monotherapy (one drug). Greater reductions were observed in women and younger patients. Double or triple combination treatments including olmesaratan were most effective in reducing blood pressure variability.  Treatment in combination with calcium channel blockers (relax and widens blood vessels) and thiazide diuretics (reduce blood volume) was most effective. 

This study concluded that combination therapy with olmesartan improves blood pressure levels and reduces blood pressure variability.

This was a retrospective study. The number of patients in the various treatment groups varied widely and the duration of trials varied. 

If you have any concerns regarding blood pressure management, please discuss with your doctor.