Ventricular Dysrhythmias in Middle-aged Hypertensive Men Treated Either with a Diuretic Agent Or a β-Blocker

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of cardiac dysrhythmias in two similar groups of hypertensive middle-aged males (age 45-66). They had previously been randomized either to a diuretic treatment (n = 42), or a .beta.-blocking agent (n = 41). A 24-hour ambulatory Holter monitoring, and serum potassium, was obtained in all patients, serum magnesium was measured in 35 patients. The mean number of ventricular premature beats (VPBs) and the frequency of complex arrhythmias (19 vs. 5) was significantly higher in the diuretic group (p < 0.01). The serum potassium was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the diuretic group, and there was a significant (p < 0.005) inverse correlation between the number of VPBs and the serum potassium in all treated patients. The patients with complex arrhythmias were older (p < 0.01) than the remainder of the patients. No correlation between serum magnesium and VPBs or complex arrhythmias was found. This study demonstrates increased frequency of VPBs in older hypertensive males, treated with diuretics, and that hypokalaemia predisposes to increased cardiac arrhythmias. We conclude that in older mildly hypertensive men hypokalaemia should be avoided.