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Purpose Of Review: Benzodiazepines, due to their anxiolytic properties, are prescribed to reduce anxiety and insomnia. They might have hypotensive effect via potentiation of the inhibitory effect of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system and vasodilatory properties. However, studies comparing the effect of benzodiazepines in lowering blood pressure (BP) are equivocal. This systematic review and meta-analysis was planned to assess the efficacy of benzodiazepines in reducing blood pressure in short term among hypertensive patients.
Recent Findings: Various trials and retrospective analysis conducted previously have reported that benzodiazepines cause short- as well as long-term BP reduction in patients with increased anxiety with hypertension. On the other hand, several studies investigating the efficacy of benzodiazepines in patients with hypertension have reported inconclusive results. The primary question about the effect of benzodiazepines in lowering BP remains unanswered. In this meta-analysis of seven studies, benzodiazepines were found comparable to standard drugs in reducing systolic and diastolic BP in patients having hypertension. Although, the mean difference in systolic BP with benzodiazepines and placebo was statistically not significant, the difference can be considered as clinically meaningful. The current review offers preliminary evidence that benzodiazepines may have antihypertensive properties and may be used as add-on antihypertensive in a subset of patients in short term. The existing data are encouraging, but more clinical trials and mechanistic research are required to ascertain the long-term benefits.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11906-023-01256-2 | DOI Listing |
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol
September 2025
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik (G.K.).
Biological sex influences the life course development of blood pressure, systemic arterial hypertension, and hypertension-associated complications through neural, hormonal, renal, and epigenetic mechanisms. Sex hormones influence blood pressure regulation through interaction with several main regulatory systems, including the autonomic nervous system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endothelin, and renal mechanisms. The modulation of vascular function by sex hormones varies over the lifespan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHypertension
September 2025
Department of Hypertension, Center for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, the Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China (J.W.).
Background: The association between season of screening blood pressure (BP) measurement and adverse outcomes has not been examined among populations without prior physician-diagnosed hypertension. We aimed to investigate the association between the season of screening clinic BP measurement and the risk of all-cause mortality.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study, and data were analyzed from an ongoing community hypertension screening program in Shanghai between 2018 and 2024.
Stroke
September 2025
Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York. (F.C.P., M.R., M.S., A.K., S.G., S.A., S.P., J.C., D.J.R.).
Background: Major ABO-incompatible platelet transfusions are associated with poor intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) outcomes, yet drivers for this relationship remain unclear. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ischemic lesions after ICH are neuroimaging biomarkers of secondary brain injury and are associated with poor outcomes. Given that ABO-incompatible platelet transfusions can induce immune complex formation, thrombo-inflammation, and endothelial barrier disruption, factors that could exacerbate cerebral ischemia, we explored whether major ABO-incompatible platelet transfusions are risk factors for ischemic lesions on brain MRI after ICH.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBlood Press Monit
September 2025
Baishan Maternal and Child Health and Family Planning Service Center, Baishan City, Jilin Province, China.
Objective: This study investigated the relationship of maternal serum uric acid, cystatin C (CysC), and coagulation indices [international normalized ratio (INR) and fibrinogen (FIB)] during pregnancy with clinical features and prognosis of early-onset pre-eclampsia.
Methods: Patients with pre-eclampsia (n = 133) were retrospectively selected, with clinical features and maternal uric acid, CysC, INR, and FIB levels collected. The relationship between clinical features and maternal uric acid, CysC, INR, and FIB was analyzed by Pearson's and Spearman's analyses.
Blood Press Monit
September 2025
Hypertension Center STRIDE-7, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Third Department of Medicine, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of the automated oscillometric upper-arm cuff blood pressure (BP) monitor Microlife BP3KV1-5X (BP B6 Connect) for home use in a general population according to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/European Society of Hypertension/International Organization for Standardization (AAMI/ESH/ISO) Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2:2018) and its amendments (1:2020 and 2:2024).
Methods: Participants were recruited to fulfill the age, sex, BP, and arm distribution criteria of the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2:2018) and its amendments (1:2020 and 2:2024) in a general population using the same arm sequential measurement method. A single wide-range cuff of the test device was used for arm circumference 22-42 cm.