With ARBs, A Bigger Dose is Better for Heart Failure PatientsBy Steve Sternberg USA TODAYA new study suggests that thousands of heart failure deaths and hospitalizations may be averted each year if doctors prescribe higher doses of a critical medication, researchers here said Tuesday. The medication, called an angiotensin-receptor blocker, or ARB, is a pillar of heart failure therapy, used by about 15% of patients to relax blood vessels and reduce stress on the heart. Until now, doctors have lacked the evidence they needed to determine the most effective dose. A new study of nearly 4,000 patients, half of whom got 50 milligrams and half of whom got 150 milligrams, found that the higher dose significantly reduced deaths and hospitalizations. The patients were followed for nearly five years. |