Novartis' Diovan boosts artery elasticity

A study published in the June issue of Hypertension demonstrates that the leading angiotensin receptor blocker Novartis Diovan (valsartan) in combination with the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide improves artery elasticity, a sign of artery aging, in patients with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease compared to those taking another widely-used blood pressure medicine, amlodipine.

Diovan/HCT demonstrated significantly superior benefits on artery elasticity compared to amlodipine, even though both treatment regimens had a similar effect in reducing blood pressure, noted the Swiss drug major, adding that this is the first report of an improvement in artery elasticity with an ARB in this patient population. The aging process is associated with a gradual loss of elasticity in the arteries, but this is prematurely accelerated in people with diabetes and/or high blood pressure. Patients with less elastic arteries are at increased risk of stroke and heart attack. The study demonstrated that Diovan/HCT, the world's best-selling branded high blood pressure medication, improved the elasticity of arteries in people with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.