Effects of antihypertensive agents on blood velocity: implications for atherogenesis.
Heart rate and blood velocity are major determinants of flow disturbances at arterial bifurcations. Since endothelial damage due to flow disturbances is thought to be significant in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the effects of drugs on these parameters have to be considered in the selection of medications to prevent atherosclerosis. To determine the effects of antihypertensive drugs on heart rate and blood velocity 15 patients with hypertension were treated with placebo, hydrochlorothiazide, nadolol, propranolol and hydralazine in sequence. The doses given produced significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure, and Doppler ultrasonographic recording of aortic blood velocity showed that there were significant changes in peak blood velocity. Nadolol and propranolol produced significantly lower values of heart rate x blood velocity than placebo, hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009248:Nadolol; D010919:Placebos; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010919:Placebos; D011412:Propanolamines; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D006830:Hydralazine; D009248:Nadolol; D011433:Propranolol