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Quality of life with antihypertensive medication
1Division of Hypertension and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Insights
This study compared the quality of life for patients with hypertension treated with nitrendipine versus propranolol. Nitrendipine improved vigor and reduced fatigue, showing a better quality of life impact than propranolol.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Hypertension is a chronic condition linked to severe health risks, necessitating effective blood pressure management.
- Antihypertensive treatments must balance efficacy with minimal impact on patient quality of life, as adverse effects reduce treatment adherence.
- Few studies have comprehensively assessed the impact of antihypertensive medications on patient quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the quality of life in patients with mild to moderate hypertension before and after treatment.
- To evaluate the effects of a beta-adrenergic blocker (propranolol) versus a calcium channel blocker (nitrendipine) on patient well-being.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter clinical trial involving patients with mild to moderate hypertension.
- Patients were treated with either propranolol or nitrendipine, and quality of life was assessed before and after treatment.
- Statistical analysis was used to compare outcomes between the two treatment groups.
Main Results:
- Both nitrendipine and propranolol effectively reduced blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
- Patients receiving nitrendipine reported increased vigor (P<0.01) and reduced fatigue (P<0.05) compared to those on propranolol.
- A decrease in partner's sexual satisfaction was noted in the propranolol group (P<0.05), with no similar impact observed for nitrendipine.
Conclusions:
- Nitrendipine and propranolol demonstrate comparable efficacy in lowering blood pressure.
- Nitrendipine appears to have a more favorable impact on quality of life, with fewer adverse effects on patient well-being and sexual satisfaction compared to propranolol.
Abstract:
Mild to moderate hypertension is often an asymptomatic disease, but it is strongly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular, renal and central nervous system morbidity and mortality. Because of the chronic nature of the disease, treatment involves the reduction of blood pressure without functional impairment. Since the adverse effects of pharmacological agents greatly reduce compliance, it is of prime importance not only to control blood pressure but also to preserve the patient's quality of life. Previous studies have demonstrated the adverse effects observed in patients treated with antihypertensive medications, but few have attempted to analyse the impact on the quality of life. Therefore, a multicentre trial was carried out to investigate the quality of life in hypertensive patients before and after treatment with the beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol or the calcium channel blocker nitrendipine. Both treatments were effective in the reduction of blood pressure. Preliminary results indicated that patients taking nitrendipine were more vigorous (P less than 0.01) and less fatigued (P less than 0.05) than those taking propranolol. In addition, patients in the propranolol group perceived a decrease in a partner's sexual satisfaction (P less than 0.05). No other major negative impacts on the quality of life were caused by either drug. These preliminary data indicate that nitrendipine and propranolol reduced blood pressure equally, but that nitrendipine caused less of a negative impact on the quality of life than propranolol.