Statins Lower Blood Pressure

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The University of California San Diego Statin Study confirms that statins have a modest blood pressure lowering effect, which may contribute to the reduction of cardiovascular events seen in other studies. The study employed 973 individuals without major cardiovascular risk factors. It was demonstrated that subjects randomized to the statins arm had a 2.2 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure. Since it well known that little changes in blood pressure provides significant risk reductions for cardiovascular events, the link between the BP lowering effect — however modest — and the cardiovascular benefits appears clear.

The mechanism for the BP lowering?

In terms of mechanism, the investigators suggest that statins might
lower blood pressure through upregulation and/or activation of
endothelial nitric-oxide synthase as well as through improvements in
endothelial function and flow-mediated vasodilation. The antioxidant
effects of the lipid-lowering medications are believed to bring about
the latter two improvements…  [from Medscape]