Rosuvatatin increases blood flow to the heart in patients with high blood pressure

This study aimed to see whether statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs such as rosuvastatin [Crestor]) have a beneficial effect on blood flow to the heart.

Patients with coronary artery disease have blood vessels narrowed by cholesterol (a fatty substance that builds up on artery walls). Coronary flow rate (CFR) refers to the amount of blood that can flow through the arteries of the heart above the normal rate. An improvement in CFR has been associated with improved survival rates in patients with coronary artery disease.

Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) have been found to increase CFR in patients with coronary artery disease. It is not clear whether statins can improve CFR in patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) at risk of coronary artery disease.

This study aimed to see if rosuvastatin could improve CFR in patients with hypertension who did not yet have coronary artery disease. 55 men and women who had controlled hypertension and cholesterol were included in the study. Patients also had an additional cardiovascular risk factor (such as smoking, diabetes, or previous stroke). Patients were treated with rosuvastatin for 1 year. Cholesterol levels and CFR were measured at the start of the study and after 1 year.

Rosuvastatin decreased LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) by 63 mg/dL. CFR was significantly increased after 1 year of treatment. The change in CFR correlated with the change in LDL cholesterol levels. 

This study concluded that treatment with rosuvastatin lowered cholesterol levels and increased coronary flow rates in patients with high blood pressure at risk for coronary artery disease.

The study had a relatively small group of patients (56) and the method used to measure CFR is relatively new and may be hard to reproduce. There was no placebo group so it is difficult to say for certain that the increase in CFR was not due to antihypertensive medications that the patients may have been taking. 

If you have high blood pressure and your doctor thinks you are at risk of a cardiocascular event you should discuss the addition of statins to your medication.