Background: Arterial hypertension and hyperlipidemia are the principal factors of cardiovascular risk with an association which appears to obey common pathogenic bonds. In the present study the initial prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia was determined in a sample of essential hypertensives and the long term effect of different antihypertensive treatments on lipid metabolism has been analyzed.
Methods: Total cholesterol, its LDL and HDL fractions and plasmatic triglycerides were determined in a sample of 158 hypertensive patients prior to the initiation of antihypertensive treatment and following one year of normotension.
Results: The initial prevalence of lipid disturbances was of 47% (isolated hypercholesterolemia 17%, isolated hypertriglyceridemia 14% and mixed anomalies 16%). After one year of tension control the initial prevalence was not modified. In the patients controlled with a low sodium diet a decrease in total cholesterol and an increase in cholesterol-HDL were observed in those treated with atenolol, and a decrease in cholesterol-LDL was seen in those receiving captopril. The group treated with nifedipin presented no significant variations of the lipid profile.
Conclusions: The prevalence of lipid disturbances is greater among the hypertensive patient than in the general population. The rational treatment of a hypertensive patient must not only regard blood pressure figures but also control the other risk factors since the drugs commonly used in the treatment of arterial hypertension generally demonstrate a neutral effect on lipid metabolism.