RESUMO
A large number of trials in the treatment of hypertension proved that some antihypertensive drugs have a negative effect in relation to CHD mortality, although most of the complications of hypertension improved much with such a therapy. This negative effect is most probably due to the adverse effects of these drugs on lipids and lipoproteins. The present study aimed to delineate the effect of two centrally acting antihypertensive drugs [clonidine and alpha methyl dopa] on the blood lipids, lipoproteins, and CHD risk ratios. Thirty mild hypertensive patients of different age and sex were selected, and classified into two equal groups. To the first group clonidine was given in a common dose [0.2 mg/day, for 21 days]. To the other group alpha methyl dopa was given in a common dose [250 mg/three times daily for 21 days]. The lipid profile of each patient was determined before and after therapy with both drugs. The study showed that clonidine produced favorable results with respect to blood lipids and lipoproteins, there were 1 no alterations in lipid or lipoprotein indices which would be considered favorable with regard to the probability of developing CHD. The most common improvement was a lowering of the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C, a potent predictor of future CHD. While an unfavorable alteration in lipid-lipoprotein concentrations with respect to the risk of coronary heart disease has been noted with alpha methyl dopa therapy especially in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia