ABSTRACT
Three groups of patients with newely diagnosed hypertension, or with hypertension not optimally controlled by previous treatment, completed a comparative study on the effects of Dihydrochlorothiazide, propranolol, and prazosin on plasma lipids after three months therapy. The drugs showed equipotent antihypertensive effects(P<0.01). Dihydrochlorothiazide administration was associated with a significant elevation of total cholesterol(42%, P<0.05), and triglyceride(8.1%, P<0.01). Changes of HDL-C(5.1%), LDL-C(3.3%), and cholesterol ratio(-4.8%) were not significant. Propranolol administration was associated with significant elevation of total cholesterol(3.8%, P<0.05), triglyceride(14.5%, P<0.005), and LDL-C(5.6%, P<0.005). Reduction of HDL-C(-7.8%, P<0.05) and cholesterol ratio(-14.7%, p<0.005) was also statistically significant. Prazosin administration was associated with significant decrease in total cholesterol(-6.6%, P<0.005), triglycride(-9.6%, P<0.005), and LDL-C(-11.7%, P<0.005), and significant elevation of HDL-C(10.6%,P<0.005) and cholesterol ratio(24.2%, P<0.005) was noted.