Perindopril, part of a group of popular anti-hypertension drugs called ACE inhibitors, reduces remodeling by 46 percent over a period of one year, when compared to a placebo. This according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress.
Remodeling refers to when the heart adapts to injury during a heart attack, resulting in enlargement of the organ and a change in its physical shape, causing it to pump less effectively.
This can prove serious in elderly patients, as their hearts generally deteriorate over the months following a heart attack, putting them on a downward slope toward heart failure.
Previous research finds that ACE inhibitors can help younger heart attack survivors whose heart's ability to pump has been compromised.
Professor Roberto Ferrari of the University of Ferrara, Italy and his colleagues demonstrated it also helps those in their 70's, who have good heart function after an attack.
Their study involved 1,252 patients with an average age of 73 years, who were randomly selected to receive either a placebo or perindopril, marketed under the brand names Coversyl and Aceon by Solvay SA and CV Therapeutics Inc.
Ferrari says research proves the drug could be of benefit to millions of elderly heart attack victims all over the world, adding treatment is likely to be for life.
Professor Henry Dargie, consultant cardiologist at Western Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland says the study adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests most patients should be placed on ACE inhibitors after a heart attack.
