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Can Antihypertensive Medication Interfere with the Vicious Cycle Between Hypertension and Vascular Calcification?

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Abstract

Vascular calcification is a phenomenon of disturbed calcium deposition, as part of the calcium that is supposed to be deposited to our bones, is lodged to our vessels. There are two forms of vascular calcification, each with a distinct anatomical distribution and clinical relevance, namely the intimal and medial calcification. Studies have demonstrated that hypertension may cause vascular calcification but also that both types of calcification, especially medial, promote arterial rigidity and hence hypertension. Implications of this two-way road are largely unknown as there is no consensus yet on their exact clinical value. However, several antihypertensive medications seem to be able to interfere with the cycle of high blood pressure and vascular calcium deposits. The present review summarizes the up-to-date data regarding the effect of antihypertensive medication on vascular calcification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hypertension Excellence Center, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, St. Kiriakidi 1, 54636, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Maria I. Pikilidou

  2. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Maria P. Yavropoulou

  3. Hospital San Raffaele Pisana IRCCS, Rome, Italy

    Angelo Scuteri

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  1. Maria I. Pikilidou
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  2. Maria P. Yavropoulou
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  3. Angelo Scuteri
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Correspondence to Maria I. Pikilidou.

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Pikilidou, M.I., Yavropoulou, M.P. & Scuteri, A. Can Antihypertensive Medication Interfere with the Vicious Cycle Between Hypertension and Vascular Calcification?. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 28, 61–71 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-013-6494-5

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