Comparison of the effects of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker on blood pressure and respiratory function in patients with hypertension and asthma.

A series of 12 adult patients with stable bronchial asthma and an established diagnosis of essential hypertension (WHO I or II) were studied in a randomized double-blind crossover study to assess the effect of captopril (50-100 mg/day) and verapamil (160-240 mg/day) on blood pressure, lung function, and asthmatic symptoms. The effect of the medication on blood pressure was significant. Blood pressure (mean 164/103 mm Hg initially) decreased to a mean of 145/90 mm Hg and 155/92 mm Hg after 4 weeks on captopril and verapamil, respectively, with fewer orthostatic changes caused by captopril. There were no marked changes of asthmatic symptoms or peak flow (PEF) or forced expiratory volume (FEV1) measurements during the trial.