Role of angiotensin receptor blockers in the prevention and management of ischaemic stroke

Stroke is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Few effective treatments are available once stroke has occurred; hence its prevention by modifying key risk factors is crucial. Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke. Prospective observational studies have established that the risk of primary stroke is strongly related to the level of blood pressure (BP) [1].Lowering diastolic BP (DBP) by 5 mmHg or systolic BP (SBP) by 10 mmHg reduces the risk of stroke by an estimated  38% [2].  Treatment  of  isolated  systolic hypertension (ISH) has also been shown to reduce the risk of stroke to a similar extent [3]. Whilst the reduction of stroke risk is largely related to the reduction in BP achieved [4], there may be differences between the various antihypertensive agents in the degree of risk reduction. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are an important class of antihypertensive agents with beneficial effects in numerous clinical conditions. In this article, we present an overview of the data relating to their effect on ischaemic stroke.