From the FDA Drug Label
- 1 Hypertension Irbesartan tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure lowers the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular (CV) events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarction. Numerous antihypertensive drugs, from a variety of pharmacologic classes and with different mechanisms of action, have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it can be concluded that it is blood pressure reduction, and not some other pharmacologic property of the drugs, that is largely responsible for those benefits The largest and most consistent cardiovascular outcome benefit has been a reduction in the risk of stroke, but reductions in myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality also have been seen regularly
Irbesartan reduces the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and cerebrovascular accident (stroke) by lowering blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for these conditions 1.
- The reduction in risk is primarily due to the blood pressure lowering effect of irbesartan, rather than any other pharmacologic property of the drug.
- The benefits of blood pressure reduction have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs, including irbesartan.
From the Research
Yes, irbesartan reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly in patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease. Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that works by relaxing blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and reduces strain on the heart. The typical starting dose is 150 mg once daily, which may be increased to 300 mg daily if needed for blood pressure control. Irbesartan provides this cardiovascular protection by blocking the effects of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow and blood pressure to rise. By keeping blood vessels relaxed and open, irbesartan helps maintain healthy blood flow, reduces the workload on the heart, and prevents damage to blood vessels that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. This medication is particularly beneficial for patients with diabetes who have kidney problems, as it also helps protect kidney function 2. Some of the key benefits of irbesartan include:
- Reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke
- Lowering blood pressure
- Protecting kidney function
- Exhibiting metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects in patients with high-risk hypertension 3 Patients should take irbesartan consistently at the same time each day, and should continue other heart-healthy practices like regular exercise, healthy diet, and avoiding smoking for maximum cardiovascular protection. It is also worth noting that irbesartan has been shown to be effective in both early and late stage diabetic nephropathy, and has demonstrated cost savings over standard therapy including beta-blockers, diuretics, and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers at all stages of kidney disease 4. Overall, irbesartan is a valuable medication for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke, and should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease.