[Antihypertensive efficacy and effects on quality of life of captopril in mild-to-moderate arterial hypertension]. / Efficacia anti-ipertensiva ed effetto sulla "qualità di vita" del captopril nell'ipertensione arteriosa di grado lieve-moderato.

The anti-hypertensive effectiveness and effect on the "quality of life" of captopril administered for 90 days to 17 patients suffering from mild-to-moderate arterial hypertension and already under anti-hypertensive treatment have been assessed. At the end of treatment with captopril, 76% of the patients attained normal pressure values. A diuretic was added in 7 patients. Average A.P. fell from 183 +/- 24/110 +/- 9 mmHg to 147 +/- 11/92 +/- 5 mmHg (p less than 0.001) without significant changes in heart rate. "Quality of life" was assessed on the basis of a questionnaire at the start and finish of treatment and it was reported improved after treatment with captopril compared to the previous pharmacological treatment. This improvement was particularly felt with respect to sense of wellbeing and capacity to perform working and recreation activity, and there was a reduction in physical disturbances.