Quality of life in the treatment of hypertension. The effect of calcium antagonists.

The effects of calcium antagonists on psychological well-being, cognitive function, activity and physical symptoms in hypertensive patients are reviewed. Effects on these aspects of quality of life appear to differ according to whether a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist such as nifedipine is employed or verapamil, which is a phenylalkylamine derivative. Nifedipine has been associated with a self-assessment of impaired cognitive function in 2 clinical trials. Nifedipine was also associated with more symptomatic complaints than both atenolol and verapamil in different studies. The problems with nifedipine centred on oedema, flushing and palpitations. Verapamil was associated with constipation. Compared with other classes of antihypertensive drugs, the position of calcium antagonists with respect to the maintenance of patients' quality of life is presently unclear. Verapamil has been associated with improved quality of life compared with propranolol (a beta-blocker) and nifedipine. Verapamil appears to have similar effects on quality of life as atenolol and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril. The position of nifedipine remains unclear.