[Quality of life of patients with hypertension treated with converting enzyme inhibitors].

Converting enzyme inhibitors (CEIs) are widely used in treatment of essential hypertension. Large-scale clinical studies have shown that CEIs are well tolerated and cause fewer side effects than most other antihypertensive agents. The latter observation is fundamental for compliance with long-term treatment. There do exist, however, some side effects which although rare are not negligible. It is necessary though to distinguish between side effects linked to the class of therapeutic agents and those associated with particular structural features. Three types of side effects have been seen: 1) manifestations linked to inhibition of angiotensin II with systemic vasodilation (hypotension, vertigo) and decreased glomerular pressure (functional renal impairment) with preferred onset in renovascular hypertension; 2) potentiation of the bradykinin-prostaglandin system which causes cutaneous eruptions and for reasons still poorly understood a cough which may justify discontinuance of treatment: 3) side effects for which the sulfydryl group is essentially responsible (rash, dysgeusia, neutropenia, proteinuria) and which basically appear to be linked to the use of high doses of captopril. In general terms, and bearing in mind the frequently dose-dependent character of the side effects, it is advisable to prescribe low doses of CEIs, and this therapeutic approach is strengthened by the possibility of concomitant use of a thiazide diuretic allowing improved antihypertensive effects, coupled to better reciprocal tolerance of the drugs. The end result is a better quality of life for the hypertensive subject, and hence improved compliance with long-term treatment.