Ecivon - Findings About Drugs to Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol from the NHLBI

ALLHAT--the "Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial"--was a large study that began in 1994 and lasted 8 years. It had two parts: one compared effects of a diuretic (sometimes referred to as a "water pill") with three newer, more costly blood pressure-lowering drugs; the other compared the effects of a cholesterol-lowering statin drug and diet with those of "usual care," which included a diet and, at the start of the study, no cholesterol-lowering drug. Those in the usual care group were given a cholesterol-lowering drug later in the study when their doctor felt their condition needed it. The blood pressure trial involved more than 40,000 persons, aged 55 and older, who had hypertension. Of those, more than 10,000 who had moderately elevated cholesterol were in the cholesterol trial as well.

More information about each part-and what the findings mean for you--starts below. If you are being treated for high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, do not make any changes without first talking with your doctor. Every drug has multiple effects, and the benefits of its use must be weighed against the risks to find the best treatment for each person.

Also, whether or not drug therapy is needed, treatment for both conditions includes lifestyle measures, such as becoming physically active, losing weight, if overweight, following a low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol eating plan, limiting dietary salt, and not smoking.

Blood pressure should be controlled to less than 140/90 mm Hg--even lower if you have certain conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure. Target levels for LDL (low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol) depend on your risk for heart disease.