HYPERTENSION AND ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY IMPAIR RESPIRATORY FUNCTION

Abstract

Objective: Tight relationship between respiratory and vascular system appear obvious and several studies showed an association between lung function and hypertension. Furthermore, antihypertensive treatment itself might have an effect on lung function. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine association of hypertension and its treatment with respiratory function. Design and method: In order to evaluate the respiratory system functional state in hypertensive patients we studied 107 patients (mean 49,5±2,7 years old) with mild (1st group), moderate (2nd group) essential hypertension (EH) and neurocirculatory hypertensive asthenia (3d group), for control we observed 30 healthy subjects (4th group). Furthermore, stratification of treatment non-compliant and compliant patients was made to observe the possible impact of antihypertensive treatment. All patients had no chronic respiratory disease in anamnesis and were randomized dependently from the blood pressure levels. Parameters of the respiratory system function were examined by computer spirography. Results: Such predictive and active parameters of computer spirography as Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume after 1s (FEV1), FEV1 as % of Inspiratory Vital Capacity (FEV1%VCIN), FEV1 as % of FVC (FEV1E), and Peak Inspiratory Flow (PIF) did not significantly differ between 1st, 3d and 4th observed groups. But in the 1st and a little bit less in the 3d groups data of active parameters mentioned above were insignificantly lower (p>0.05) compared to healthy individuals. In the 2nd group patients MVV, FEV1%VCIN, FEV1E were uncertainly lower (p>0.05) than in the 1st and 3d groups, but were still border-normal with tendency to forming combined respiratory and heart failure. Antihypertensive treatment was associated with a deterioration in FEV1 by -150.3±12.78 ml (p = 0.01) and in FVC by -190.2±20.05 ml (p<0.01). With both high blood pressure and antihypertensive medication as individual variables in one regression model, only medication decreased FEV1 and FVC statistically significantly (p<0.01). Conclusions: Thus, a tendency for aggravation of the active parameters of respiratory function in patients with arterial hypertension is dependent on the blood pressure levels and use of antihypertensive medications.