What Is Diovan Used For?

Diovan^® (valsartan) is licensed to treat various conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. Specifically, Diovan helps with:

Controlling high blood pressure (hypertension)
Treating congestive heart failure
Helping to improve survival rates for heart attack patients.

Clinical studies have shown that Diovan can 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. However, Diovan is not a cure for high blood pressure.

Diovan decreases blood pressure and also 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.

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.

(For more information on what Diovan is used for, click Diovan Uses. This article discusses how the drug works, why it is not safe for children under the age of 6 years old, and potential off-label uses.)