Table 2.

Benefits of ARBs in Different Clinical Subsets

Reduction of BP levels: Comparable efficacy of ARBs compared to ACEi and even superior to other antihypertensive drugs17–20

LVH: ARBs provide beneficial effects on LVH regression and on cardiac remodeling in the presence of hypertension and HF29

Atherosclerosis: decrease of PAI-1 in the vessel wall, reduced atherosclerosis progression and reduced instability of atherosclerotic plaque39,40

MACE: reduced occurrence of stroke, MI, HF, CV mortality, death from any cause41–47

Metabolic diseases: increased urinary uric acid excretion, activation of PPAR-γ, reduction of adipose tissue weight and of adipocyte size14,31,32

Diabetes: reduction of the occurrence of new-onset diabetes, improvement of insulin sensitivity and HOMA-IR index29,33

Chronic kidney disease: protective role toward the development of microalbuminuria, overt proteinuria, and the progression to end-stage renal disease31–36

Side effects: reduced incidence of angioedema, cough, hypotension, syncope, and electrolyte abnormalities52,56–58

COVID-19: potential beneficial effects through vasodilatation, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and antiproliferative properties60–66

Abbreviations: ACEi, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; ARBs, angiotensin receptor blockers; CV, cardiovascular; HF, heart failure; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment; LVH, left ventricular hypertrophy; MI, myocardial infarction; PAI-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-I; PPAR-γ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor.