LONDON, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The results of a new study underscore the
effectiveness of Diovan(R) (valsartan) in treating hypertension by reducing
not only diastolic, but also systolic blood pressure, one of the major risk
factors for cardiovascular complications in older patients. The findings were
presented here at the 3rd International Symposium on Angiotensin II
Antagonism.
"Systolic blood pressure is a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity
and mortality in the elderly," said Joel Neutel, MD, Orange County Heart
Institute and Research Center, Orange County, CA, one of the study authors.
"Since the incidence of hypertension -- especially systolic hypertension --
increases with age, efficacious treatment is critical to this patient
population."
The study showed that Diovan is effective in reducing blood pressure in
elderly patients (n = 139 and age greater than or equal to 65 years) with
systolic hypertension who may or may not have elevated diastolic blood
pressure.
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients
received either Diovan 80 mg or placebo for four weeks, and were titrated to a
160 mg dose of Diovan or placebo for four additional weeks. Approximately 50
percent of patients had isolated systolic hypertension. Diovan reduced
systolic blood pressure by 19.2 mmHg versus 8.8 mmHg for placebo.
Additionally, Diovan produced a statistically significant reduction in
diastolic blood pressure when compared to placebo, 5.2 mmHg versus 1.2 mmHg,
respectively. In the study, the drug-related side effect rate for valsartan
was comparable to placebo.
The importance of controlling high blood pressure (HBP), particularly
isolated systolic hypertension, to maintain cardiovascular health was
identified by the Framingham Heart Study, a landmark trial directed by the
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. In 1988, the milestone study found
that isolated systolic hypertension increased the risk of heart disease, the
leading cause of death and serious illness in the U.S.
Controlling the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease is
becoming even more critical as the world population continues to age. The
United Nations expects that by the year 2050, there will be nearly two billion
people in the world 60 years and older. Today, according to the U.N.'s
Population Division, 1 of every 10 persons living is age 60 or older, but by
the year 2050, that ratio will double to 1 of 5.
Diovan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for the
treatment of hypertension. As with all drugs that act on the
renin-angiotensin system (RAS), Diovan can cause injury and even death to the
developing fetus when used in pregnancy during the second and third
trimesters. When pregnancy is detected, Diovan should be discontinued as soon
as possible.
For full prescribing information, visit the Novartis website at
http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com or contact Anna Frable, Novartis
Pharmaceuticals Corporation, 59 Route 10, East Hanover, NJ 07936,
973-781-5388 or Cindy Romano at Chandler Chicco Agency at 212-229-8425.
Novartis is a member of the American Heart Association (AHA)
Pharmaceutical Roundtable, a strategic coalition of leading pharmaceutical
companies who support the AHA's mission by supporting its cardiovascular
research and educational programs.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures
and markets leading innovative prescription drugs used to treat a number of
diseases and conditions, including central nervous system disorders, organ
transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, respiratory
disorders, cancer and arthritis. The company's mission is to improve people's
lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.
Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
is an affiliate of the Novartis Group, a world leader in healthcare with core
businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care, and animal
health. In 1999, the Group (including Agribusiness) achieved sales of US
$21.7 billion and invested more than US $2.8 billion in R&D. Headquartered in
Basel, Switzerland, Novartis employs about 82,400 people and operates in over
140 countries around the world. The Group recently announced plans to spin
off its Crop Protection and Seeds sectors and to merge them with the
agrochemicals business of AstraZeneca in the second half of 2000.
SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com
CONTACT:
Anna Frable of Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Corporation, 973-781-5388; or Cindy Romano of Chandler Chicco
Agency, 212-229-8425, for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
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