Metabolic disturbances and antihypertensive therapy

Arterial hypertension is frequently associated with metabolic abnormalities. Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are found in obese patients, in non-insulin-dependent diabetics and in some hypertensive patients, irrespective of whether the patients are overweight or have diabetes mellitus. Membrane transport abnormalities, such as increased sodium-lithium exchange associated with hypertension are also significantly related to disturbances in lipid metabolism. Increased sympathetic nervous system activity is a well established feature of arterial hypertension and this may also affect glucose and lipid metabolism. The possibility of these metabolic alterations in the hypertensive patient must be taken into account when deciding upon treatment. Attention to diet is mandatory and includes advice to reduce energy, salt and saturated fat intakes and to increase the intake of less digestible fiber and of potassium; alcohol consumption should be limited. Energy expenditure by regular aerobic physical exercise should be encouraged and continuous effort is necessary to help patients stop smoking. In patients with high blood pressure and abnormalities in lipid and glucose metabolism, it is wise to start pharmacological treatment with drugs that are known to be neutral in their metabolic effects, such as calcium antagonists, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or alpha-blocking agents.