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[Effects of a calcium antagonist, verapamil, on mild-moderate essential arterial hypertension]
Insights
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, effectively lowers blood pressure in patients with mild essential hypertension. It demonstrated superior efficacy and quicker results compared to chlorthalidone, with better biochemical tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a widespread condition requiring effective management.
- Pharmacological interventions aim to reduce arterial pressure and prevent complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the hypotensive effects of verapamil (calcium channel blocker) and chlorthalidone (diuretic) in patients with mild essential hypertension.
Main Methods:
- A 9-week comparative study involving 60 patients with mild essential hypertension (Systemic I-II OMS degree).
- Monitoring of arterial pressure and biochemical parameters (cholesterol, uric acid, potassium).
Main Results:
- Both verapamil and chlorthalidone significantly reduced arterial pressure.
- Verapamil showed more pronounced and rapid hypotensive effects, evident from the second week.
- Verapamil exhibited superior biochemical control by not altering cholesterol, uric acid, or potassium levels.
Conclusions:
- Calcium channel blockers, specifically verapamil, should be considered a primary therapeutic option for essential hypertension.
- Verapamil offers efficacy, good tolerance, and minimal biochemical disturbances, making it a first-choice antihypertensive agent.
Abstract:
A close comparative study of the hypotensive effects of verapamil and chlorthalidone was carried out on 60 patients affected with mild essential hypertension showing systemic. I-II OMS affectation degree, during 9 weeks. Both, the calcium channel blockers and the diuretics produced statistically significant decreases in the arterial pressure, being more evident with verapamil. An adequate control of the hypertension was achieved with both drugs, the results produced with verapamil (from 2nd week) being more important and quicker. The biochemical control did give the best results with verapamil, however, because it did not modify the plasmatic levels of cholesterol, uric acid and potassium. We concluded that the calcium channel blocker must be included in the therapeutic arsenal against essential hypertension, verapamil being the first choice because of its efficacy, tolerance and minimal alterations o in the biochemical blood test.