Comparison of the effect of treatment with the main groups of antihypertensive drugs on the quality of life in patients with stable arterial hypertension

Abstract

When appointing antihypertensive drugs to patients with stable mild to moderate arterial hypertension (AH) it is necessary to take into account the effect of treatment on the quality of life (QoL) of these patients. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of prolonged use of antihypertensive drugs from the main treatment groups on QoL of patients with stable AH in 5 controlled trials. The results of monotherapy efficacy were assessed by 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and QoL patients were studied before and after long-term monotherapy according to the results of a database analysis of 5 studies performed in our center for the last 4 years. After the period of withdrawal of antihypertensive therapy, patients underwent 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, QoL was evaluated. According to 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, diltiazem had an antihypertensive effect, comparable to the effect of enalapril. Both drugs had no effect on the circadian rhythm of arterial pressure and the outpatient heart rate. Long-term use of none of the antihypertensive drugs (diltiazem, amlodipine, enalapril, metoprolol, telmisartan) did not worsen QoL. The greatest impact on QoL was provided by the group of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, enalapril, significantly improving QoL.