Candesartan is a prescription medicine that lowers blood pressure by blocking a hormone that tightens blood vessels. Its strongest evidence is cardiovascular: it reliably lowers blood pressure, reduces stroke risk, improves heart failure, protects kidneys, and modestly lowers diabetes risk. Brain-aging and lifespan benefits stay unproven. Main cautions—high potassium, kidney effects, dizziness—are manageable with monitoring; never in pregnancy. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure (home) | ~110–125 / 70–80 mmHg | Primary efficacy target |
| Serum potassium | 4.0–4.8 mmol/L | Detect hyperkalemia |
| Creatinine / eGFR | eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m² | Detect kidney-function decline |
| Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) | ~7–18 mg/dL | Supports kidney function and hydration assessment |
| Serum sodium | 138–142 mmol/L | Flags volume/fluid disturbances |
| Uric acid | <6.0 mg/dL | Monitor gout risk, especially with a diuretic |
| Fasting glucose / HbA1c | Glucose 75–90 mg/dL; HbA1c <5.4% | Track metabolic effects and diabetes-prevention signal |
Cadence: Potassium and kidney function within 1–2 weeks of starting or any dose increase, then at ~3 and 6 months, then every 6–12 months if stable (more often in chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or with interacting drugs).