RÉSUMÉ
The comparative blood pressure lowering and hemodynamic effects of four types of antihypertensive drugs, i.e.indapamide (diuretic), atenalol (betablocker), verapamil (calcium antagonist), and captopril (converting enzyme inhibitor), were evaluated among 30 middle aged men with mild to moderate essential hypertension in a double-blind randomized multiple crossover study. Blood pressure reduction were comparable regardless of hypotensives used. However atenolol 100 mg once daily also produced significant reduction in exercise-induced rate-pressure product and improved LV compliance echocardiogram indices within 2 weeks. Antihypertensive therapy is lifelong. Thus a daily single dose drug is advantageous for better patient acceptability and compliance during longterm antihypertensive therapy.(Auth)