Abstract:

Stroke is the second leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide with long term disability in developed countries. Various risk factors lead to progression of stroke, they include hypertension, atrial fibrillation, new onset of diabetes, isolated systolic hypertension(ISH) & left ventricular hypertrophy. Among these risk factors, Hypertension is considered as major risk factor for myocardial infarction previously but now-a-days it is consider as the greatest risk factor for the stroke. Various antihypertensive agents which either as mono therapy or in combinations are use to reduce above cardiovascular (CV) morbidities and mortalities including different stroke outcomes.

Recently losartan, AT-2(angiotensin-2) receptor antagonist which is acting on renin angiotensin system (RAS) is considered as first line agent to reduce different CV morbidities and mortalities compared to other conventional B-blockers and Thiazide diuretic combinations. Various “LIFE (losartan intervention for end point reduction) studies” were conducted in hypertensive patients which show better efficacy profile of losartan in reducing various CV morbidities and mortalities including stroke compared to atenolol.

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