Response to Amlodipine and Stroke Prevention

Abstract

We very much appreciate the comments and hypotheses of Balligand and Godfraind.1 Our quantitative overview on amlodipine and angiotensin receptor blockers demonstrated that calcium channel blockade by the use of amlodipine substantially reduced the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction.2 Blood pressure gradients between randomized groups of trials largely account for the benefit of amlodipine versus other antihypertensive agents. However, amlodipine indeed produced benefits beyond brachial blood pressure measured in the clinic, particularly against stroke. We believe that the benefit of amlodipine beyond brachial blood pressure to a large extent …