Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients: Responses to exercise by antihypertensive treatment.

The effects of various antihypertensive treatments on the echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy were studied in 75 patients with essential hypertension. The hemodynamic effects of the therapy during exercise were also compared. LV mass by echocardiogram was significantly reduced by beta-blockade and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI), but only slightly reduced by Ca channel blockade. QRS high voltage criteria of LV hypertrophy by electrocardiogram were reduced by all 3 of these antihypertensive treatments. At submaximal exercise, the pressor responses were attenuated by captopril, but not influenced by metoprolol or nifedipine. The increase in plasma norepinephrine by exercise was significantly suppressed after captopril, but was somewhat augmented after metoprolol or nifedipine. These observations indicate that the responses of hemodynamics and sympathetic nervous activity to exercise are different after the treatment by beta-blocker, Ca channel blocker or ACEI, in spite of the equal antihypertensive effect. However, it is suggested that the regression of LV hypertrophy might be induced by antihypertensive therapy, though the different grade by the individual drug.