The Val-MARC Trial: Valsartan, Blood Pressure Reduction, and C-Reactive Protein

Data from a randomized trial, in which 1668 patients with stage 2 hypertension were treated with valsartan or valsartan + hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) at various dosages, raise the hypothesis that angiotensin receptor blockade may have anti-inflammatory effects in addition to blood pressure–lowering effects, through the regulation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)levels.

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