Diovan Uses
There are several reasons why Diovan may be prescribed, including controlling high blood pressure, treating congestive heart failure, and helping improve the survival rates of heart attack patients. Diovan has been shown to relax the blood vessels, which can significantly lower blood pressure and allow more blood to be pumped to the rest of the body. In addition, people who have developed heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction following a heart attack can decrease their chances of death by 16 percent with daily use of Diovan. There are currently no universally accepted off-label uses for Diovan.
Diovan® (valsartan) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. These Diovan uses include:
- Controlling high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Treating congestive heart failure
- Helping to improve survival rates for heart attack patients.
Diovan for High Blood Pressure
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example: 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure is defined as an average blood pressure higher than 140/90, with multiple blood pressure readings.
In clinical studies, Diovan has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The higher the dose of Diovan, the greater the drop in blood pressure tended to be. By lowering blood pressure, Diovan can decrease the risks that accompany long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). However, Diovan is not a cure for high blood pressure.
Diovan for Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. It does not mean that your heart has stopped or that it is about to stop working. It means that your heart is not able to pump blood the way that it should. This can lead to symptoms of CHF that include shortness of breath; swelling of the feet, ankles, or lower legs; and rapid weight gain, to name a few (see Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure for more information).
For people with congestive heart failure, Diovan decreases blood pressure and makes the heart more efficient, which allows more blood to be pumped from the heart. Because of these effects, Diovan has been shown to decrease hospitalizations and loss of life from congestive heart failure. However, Diovan does not cure congestive heart failure.
Diovan Treatment Following a Heart Attack
A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) is a life-threatening event in which the supply of blood and oxygen to part of the heart is blocked for a long enough period of time that a portion of the heart muscle dies. One of the complications of a heart attack is congestive heart failure. A heart attack can also cause damage to the left side of the heart and cause it to pump blood less efficiently. This is called left ventricular dysfunction. With left ventricular dysfunction, a person does not necessarily have symptoms. This condition will often lead to heart failure.
For people who develop heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction following a heart attack, taking Diovan on a daily basis decreases the chance of death by 16 percent. It is not known exactly how Diovan improves survival following a heart attack.
How Does Diovan Work?
Diovan is part of a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers, or ARBs for short. As the names implies, Diovan blocks angiotensin II receptors. This decreases the effectiveness of a chemical known as angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow (constrict). By blocking the effects of angiotensin II, Diovan causes blood vessels to relax, which can lower blood pressure.
Diovan is approved to treat high blood pressure in children as young as six years old. If your child cannot swallow tablets (or if the right Diovan dosage cannot be obtained using the tablets), your pharmacist can make a Diovan suspension (liquid) for you.
On occasion, a healthcare provider may recommend Diovan for treating a condition other than those listed above. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label Diovan uses.
Source: http://blood-pressure.emedtv.com/diovan/diovan-uses-p3.html
