LIFE (losartan intervention for endpoint reduction in hypertension) study and its substudies

Hypertension is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in modern world. Its treatment with renin–angiotensin system blockade provides beneficial effects especially in special patient groups. The LIFE (losartan intervention for endpoint reduction in hypertension) study analysed the differences between an angiotensin receptor blocker (losartan) and a beta-blocker (atenolol) antihypertensive treatments in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Despite similar blood pressure reductions, losartan showed beneficial effects in primary endpoints, and also new-onset diabetes, stroke, albuminuria, left ventricular hypertrophy regression and in atrial fibrillation. Although there are some restrictions on the study, the results show the beneficial effects of angiotensin receptor blockers in hypertensive patients with high risk, with probably mechanisms other than blood pressure reduction.