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Long-term treatment of arterial hypertension with verapamil
Insights
Verapamil effectively lowers blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. This calcium channel blocker demonstrated sustained efficacy over four years with minimal side effects, making it a valuable antihypertensive treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Calcium antagonists, like verapamil, possess vasodilator properties.
- Verapamil has been recently introduced for arterial hypertension treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term efficacy of verapamil in managing mild and moderate hypertension.
- To assess verapamil's effectiveness as a monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 82 patients with uncontrolled primary or renal hypertension.
- Verapamil administration at doses not exceeding 400 mg/day, alone or combined with other drugs.
- Monitoring blood pressure response and side effects over a period of up to 4 years.
Main Results:
- Normal average blood pressure was achieved in most patients within 7.8 +/- 1.2 weeks.
- The antihypertensive effect was sustained for up to 4 years.
- Verapamil was withdrawn in 6 cases due to side effects; tolerance developed in approximately 10% of patients.
Conclusions:
- Verapamil is an effective addition to the available antihypertensive treatments.
- The drug shows a good response rate and minimal side effects in managing hypertension.
- Long-term use of verapamil demonstrates sustained blood pressure control.
Abstract:
Based on the vasodilator properties of calcium antagonists, verapamil was recently introduced into the treatment of arterial hypertension. The present study was undertaken to examine the long-term efficacy of this drug in mild and moderate hypertension. In 82 patients with uncontrolled primary or renal hypertension, verapamil was used either alone or in combination with other drugs. In six cases verapamil was withdrawn because of side effects. In the remaining patients a normal average blood pressure was achieved within 7.8 +/- 1.2 weeks of treatment with doses not exceeding 400 mg/day. This effect was maintained for up to 4 years of treatment, although tolerance seemed to develop in about 10% of the patients. In view of this good response and minimal side effects, it is concluded that verapamil is an effective addition to the antihypertensive arsenal.