Hypertension Management When You Need It Most

Friday, March 1, 2002

(NAPSA)—If you’re one of the millions of Americans whosuffers from hypertension, there’s eye- opening news. A higher rate of Prevalence Trendsfor High Blood Pressure: United States | 25.2 Non-Hispanic White Men cardiovascular events—including heart attack, stroke and sudden cardiac death—occurs in the morning. | 20.5 Non-Hispanic White Women PercentofPopulation Doctors say blood pressure rises in the early morning, peaks in the late morning, then slowly declines, reaching its lowest level during sleep. This is because blood pressure has a circadian rhythm (the body’s natural “clock” that is believed to dictate biological cycles and functions). To compensate for the rise in blood pressure in the morning, doctors have concentrated on ways to deliver hypertension drugs in greater amounts when blood pressure is higher (mornings) and in smaller dosages when blood pressure is lower (the middle of the night)—while not disturbing the sleep cycle. The scienceis called chronotherapeutics. A recent study involving over 2,500 patients confirms that the chronotherapeutic drug called Verelan PM (verapamil HCl) works with the body’s circadian rhythms to manage hypertension.* Patients who take the drug at night may see lower blood pressure the following morning, possibly reducing their risk of serious or even life-threatening events. The drug incorporates technology that allows for a four- to fivehour delay in delivery after it is taken. “Cardiovascular researchers have known for some time that blood pressure rises rapidly in the early morning as a person wakes and begins activity,” says president Ron Stratton of Schwarz Pharma Inc., marketers of the drug. “The medical community is beginning to appreciate the importance of a patient’s natural body rhythms as they relate to timing of medications.” The clinical significance of reducing the early-morning rise in blood pressure has not been established. Verapamil should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function. | 36.7 Non-Hispanic Black Men Sd 36.6 Non-Hispanic Black Women | 24.2 Hispanic Men | 22.4 Hispanic Women __| 9.7 Asian Men | 8.4 Asian Women Data for Non-Hispanic Whites/Blacks and Hispanics, ages 20 - 74, are modified from NHANES III (1988-94), CDC/NCHS, American Heart Association. 2002 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update. Dallas, Tex.: American Heart Association; 2001. Data for Asian/Pacific Islanders from NHIS (1986-90) CDC/NCHS, American Heart Association. 2002 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update. Dallas, Tex.: American Heart Association; 2001. @ Hypertension affects Americans from a variety of different backgrounds. Headache, constipation, peripheral edema, and dizziness were among the most commonsideeffects. For complete prescribing information, please visit www.schwarzusa.com. To receive patient materials on hypertension, please send selfaddressed stamped business envelope to: Schwarz Pharma, Attn. Communications Manager, 6140 W. Executive Dr. Mequon, WI 53092. 1. Prisant LM, Black HR, Messerli FH, Weber MA. Results of a Community-BasedTrial of a Chronotherapeutic Verapamil Formulation. Am J Hypertension. 2002;15:58A.

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