Antihypertensive Effect of Captopril on Essential Hypertension

ABSTRACT

The antihypertensive effect of captopril was evaluated in 15 patients with mild to moderate essestial hypertension(Mean age 55, Mean blood pressure 171/102mmHg). Captopril was administered 25 to 50mg twice daily with or without hydrochlorothiazide by mouth according to our protocol which was presented in the text. All the patients were followed up to 12 weeks. Captopril with or without hydrochlorothiazide significantly lowered the systolic and diastolic pressure in almost all patients. The mean systolic and diastolic pressure were reduced to 134/86mmHg(-37/-16mmHg ; -22/-16%)(p<0.001). Heart rate did not change significantly. No unwanted effects were observed. We conclude captopril has exellent antihypertensive effect in most patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.