[Treatment of essential arterial hypertension with hypercholesterolemia. Effects of an alpha-adrenergic blocker and an inhibitor of the angiotensin converting enzyme].
BACKGROUND
Hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are frequently associated with this leading to considerable cardiovascular risk.


METHODS
An open parallel randomized study was performed in which the effects of doxazosin, an alpha-adrenergic blocker and enalapril, an inhibitor of the angiotensin converting enzyme were compared in 70 patients with essential high blood pressure and plasma cholesterol levels greater than 240 mg/dl. Following 2-4 weeks of placebo administration the patients were randomly treated with one of the two drugs. When required doses were increased and hydrochlorothiazide added until blood pressure lower than 160/95 mmHg was achieved. After this period the patients were observed for a minimum of 8 weeks. The mean length of the study was of 22 weeks.


RESULTS
Both drugs significantly reduced blood pressure without modifying cardiac frequency. Doxazosin tended to favorably modify the lipid profile of the plasma while enalapril significantly reduced the levels of cholesterol, lipids and high density lipoproteins (HDL). Upon termination of the study the total HDL/cholesterol index increased 8.6% in those treated with doxazosin and decreased 5.5% in those receiving enalapril (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although doxazosin and enalapril are potent antihypertensive drugs, the effects on plasma lipid obtained with doxazosin indicate that a reduction in cardiovascular risk was achieved with this drug in the patients included in this study.
Fernández Pinilla
C
C
Unidad de Hipertensión, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Madrid.
Luque Otero
M
M
Martell Claros
N
N
Alcázar de la Osa
J M
JM
Rodicio Díaz
J L
JL
Ruilope Urioste
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017292:Doxazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004656:Enalapril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D004656:Enalapril; D017292:Doxazosin
Tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial esencial con hipercolesterolemia. Efectos de un bloqueador alfaadrenérgico y un inhibidor de la enzima conversiva de la angiotensina.