The effect of single-dose methyldopa and diuretic on BP and left ventricular mass

The effect of a single daily dose of 500 mg of methyldopa with 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide and 5 mg of amiloride hydrochloride was studied in 21 patients with mild to moderate hypertension. It was shown that the average morning BP changed from 182/103 +/- 15/9 mm Hg to 145/83 +/- 16/8 mm Hg following one day of treatment. Similarly, the average of seven hourly measurements (7BP) dropped from 170/99 +/- 11/7 mm Hg to 145/86 +/- 11/8 mm Hg. In 12 patients, the same therapy lowered the morning BP from 186/104 +/- 16/9 mm Hg to 144/83 +/- 15/8 mm Hg and the 7BP from 168/98 +/- 10/6 mm Hg to 142/83 +/- 12/7 mm Hg following three weeks. After eight weeks, normal values were still maintained. Left ventricular mass was elevated in all the patients (330 +/- 67) and dropped by an average of 12% and 17% by three and eight weeks after initiation of therapy. Unchanged left ventricular end diastolic volume and decreased muscle thickness indicate true reduction in hypertrophy in addition to the BP-lowering effect of this combined single-dose therapy described.