What Is Valsartan Used For?

A common question for people with a heart condition is, "What is valsartan used for?" Valsartan is used to control high blood pressure, treat congestive heart failure, and improve survival rates for people who have had a heart attack. Also, by lowering blood pressure, valsartan can lower the risks that accompany long-term high blood pressure. Finally, valsartan has been shown to decrease hospitalizations and loss of life from congestive heart failure. There are currently no universally accepted off-label uses for the drug.

Uses for Valsartan -- An Overview

Valsartan (Diovan®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. These valsartan uses include:
 
Valsartan 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, valsartan has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The higher the dose of valsartan, the greater the drop in blood pressure tended to be. By lowering blood pressure, valsartan can decrease the risks that occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). However, valsartan is not a cure for high blood pressure.
(What Is Valsartan Used For? Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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