Metabolic Effects of Various Antihypertensive Agents

Mortality resulting from coronary artery disease and sudden death has not been significantly reduced by the use of antihypertensive medications in patients with hypertension, despite evidence that hypertension is a major risk factor for myocardial infarction. One possible reason is that the drugs used may have adverse metabolic effects that negate the beneficial effect of lowering blood pressure. Diuretics and beta-blocking agents produce a wide range of biochemical or metabolic alterations-e.g., changes in plasma potassium and in lipoprotein profiles. In general, fewer or less marked alterations are associated with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, alpha-adrenergic blockers, and slow calcium channel blocking drugs. The effects of these agents alone and in combination and their potential relationship with coronary adverse events are reviewed. Although the clinical relevance of these alterations has yet to be fully determined, it is rational to suggest that given or current knowledge, the antihypertensive agent selected for use should be an effective, well-tolerated drug with a minimum of adverse biochemical or metabolic effects.