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Published on: November 10, 2017
Comparison of enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide in mild hypertension and changes in plasma lipid concentrations
M R Weir1, C Krichten, A Urick
1Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore.
Insights
Enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide equally control hypertension. Enalapril improved lipid profiles, while hydrochlorothiazide showed adverse lipid changes, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Hypertension Research
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular risk factor.
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics are common antihypertensive agents.
- The impact of antihypertensives on lipid profiles requires ongoing study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and tolerability of enalapril versus hydrochlorothiazide in mild essential hypertension.
- To investigate the effects of these treatments on plasma lipid profiles.
- To assess the clinical significance of observed lipid profile changes.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, randomized, parallel clinical trial.
- Inclusion of 40 patients with mild uncomplicated essential hypertension.
- 12-week treatment period with blood pressure and plasma lipid profile monitoring.
Main Results:
- Both enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide demonstrated equal antihypertensive efficacy.
- Treatments were generally well tolerated.
- Enalapril showed favorable plasma lipid profile changes, whereas hydrochlorothiazide led to adverse alterations, including increased cholesterol ratios.
Conclusions:
- Enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide are equally effective for blood pressure control in mild hypertension.
- Enalapril may offer benefits regarding lipid profiles.
- Hydrochlorothiazide's adverse lipid effects require further research for clinical relevance.
Abstract:
An open, randomized, parallel clinical study comparing the antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide was carried out in 40 patients with mild uncomplicated essential hypertension. Changes in plasma lipid profiles were also studied. The results show that the two treatments were equally efficacious in controlling blood pressure and were generally well tolerated. Favorable changes in the plasma lipid profile were observed during the 12-week treatment period with enalapril. However, adverse alterations in the plasma lipid profile were observed during treatment with hydrochlorothiazide. These included a significant increase in the total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and the low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Further studies are needed to confirm these plasma lipid findings and to determine their clinical significance.
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