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The cardiovascular effects of alpha-receptor blocking agents
1International Cardiological Institute for Therapeutic Research (ICIT), University of Oslo, Norway.
Objective:
To characterize selective alpha 1-adrenergic blockers as antihypertensive agents, particularly doxazosin. CHARACTERISTICS OF ALPHA-BLOCKERS: These agents lower elevated blood pressure by reducing peripheral arterial resistance without increasing the heart rate or reducing cardiac output. They also reduce left ventricular hypertrophy; improve an atherogenic lipid profile; reduce the risk of thrombotic complications; reduce the formation of fatty streaks, the precursor of advanced athersclerosis; have no adverse metabolic effects in diabetic hypertensives; have a comparable side-effect profile to that of other antihypertensive drugs; and are cost-effective.
Conclusions:
In addition to reducing high blood pressure, the alpha-blockers reduce a number of other cardiovascular risk factors. In attempts to solve the hypertension-coronary dilemma, these additional effects may prove to be of crucial importance.