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Published on: February 3, 2021

Doxazosin versus atenolol: a randomized comparison of calculated coronary heart disease risk reduction

C Mazzola1, E Guerrasio

  • 1Department of Cardiology and Pathology, INRCA-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carrattere Scientifico, Casatenovo, Italy.

American Heart Journal
|December 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Doxazosin effectively lowers blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels compared to atenolol, potentially reducing coronary heart disease risk. Unlike atenolol, doxazosin does not cause bradycardia.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension management is crucial for reducing cardiovascular risk.
  • Selective alpha 1-inhibitors like doxazosin and beta-blockers like atenolol are used to treat hypertension.
  • Atenolol may negatively impact lipid profiles, potentially increasing coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy and toleration of doxazosin versus atenolol in hypertensive patients.
  • To assess the impact of both drugs on blood pressure and lipid profiles.
  • To determine which drug may more effectively reduce calculated CHD risk.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized study involving 40 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.
  • Patients received either atenolol (100 mg daily) or doxazosin (2-8 mg daily) for 8 weeks.
  • Blood pressure and lipid profiles were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Both doxazosin and atenolol effectively reduced supine and standing blood pressure.
  • Doxazosin did not cause significant bradycardia, unlike atenolol.
  • Doxazosin improved lipid profiles by decreasing triglycerides and total cholesterol, and increasing HDL cholesterol and the HDL/total cholesterol ratio.
  • Atenolol showed an adverse effect on lipid profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Doxazosin is as effective as atenolol in lowering blood pressure.
  • Doxazosin offers a more favorable lipid profile modification compared to atenolol.
  • Doxazosin may reduce calculated CHD risk more effectively than atenolol.

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