Summary
The Oslo Hypertension Study started in 1972 and lasted for 66 (range 60–78) months. A total of 785 healthy men, aged 40 to 49 years, with mild hypertension were randomised to a drug-treated group and to an untreated, control group. The drugs used for treatment were hydrochlorothiazide alone in 36%, hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol in 26%, hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa in 20%, and other drugs in 18%.
A total of 95% in the drug-treated group received hydrochlorothiazide. Pressure complications, such as stroke and aneurysms, only occurred in the control group. Coronary events were more numerous in the drug-treated group, so that the total incidence of cardiovascular complications did not significantly differ between the treated and untreated groups.
After 5 and 10 years, total mortality was found to be the same in both groups. However, the 10-year coronary heart disease mortality was significantly higher in the drug-treated group than in the untreated controls (14 vs 3, p < 0.01). Possible reasons for the failing effect of drug treatment of hypertension on coronary heart disease is discussed, and attention is drawn to the adverse effect of diuretics and β-adrenergic blockers, both on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. This is in contrast to the α-adrenergic blocker, prazosin, which has been shown to improve the blood lipid profile.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ames RP, Hill P. Elevation of serum lipid levels during diuretic therapy of hypertension. American Journal of Medicine 61: 748, 1976
Ames RP, Hill P. Improvement of glucose tolerance and lowering of glycohemoglobin and serum lipid concentrations after discontinuation of antihypertensive drug therapy. Circulation 65: 899, 1982
Day JL, Metcalfe J, Simpson N, et al. Adrenergic mechanisms in the control of plasma lipids in men. American Journal of Medicine 76(2A): 94, 1984
Helgeland A, Hjermann I, Leren P, et al. High density lipoprotein cholesterol and antihypertensive drugs. The Oslo Study. British Medical Journal 2: 403, 1978a
Helgeland A, Hjermann I, Holme I, et al. Serum triglycerides and serum uric acid in untreated and thiazide-treated patients with mild hypertension. American Journal of Medicine 64: 34, 1978b
Helgeland A. Treatment of mild hypertension: a 5-year controlled trial. The Oslo Study. American Journal of Medicine 69: 725, 1980
Helgeland A, Leren P, Foss OP, et al. Serum glucose levels during long-term observation of treated and untreated men with mild hypertension. American Journal of Medicine 76: 802, 1984
Kjeldsen SE, Eide L, Leren P, et al. The effect of HDL cholesterol of oxprenolol and atenolol. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigations 42: 449, 1982
Lasser NL, Grandits G, Caggiula AW, et al. Effects of antihypertensive therapy on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. American Journal of Medicine 76(2A): 52–66, 1984
Leren P, Askevold EM, Foss OP, et al. Cardiovascular disease in middle-aged and young Oslo men. The Oslo Study. Acta Medica Scandinavica 6 (Suppl. 558): 1975
Leren P, Foss OP, Helgeland A, et al. Effect of propranolol and prazosin on blood lipids. The Oslo Study. Lancet 2: 4, 1980
Leren P, Foss OP, Helgeland A, et al. Effect of pindolol and hydrochlorothiazide on blood lipids. Clinical Trials Journal 18: 254, 1981
Leren P, Eide I, Foss OP. Antihypertensive drugs and blood lipids. The Oslo Study. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 4 (Suppl. 2): 222, 1982
Management Report of the Committee on the Australian Therapeutic Trial in Mild Hypertension. Lancet 1: 185, 1982
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leren, P., Helgeland, A. Oslo Hypertension Study. Drugs 31 (Suppl 1), 41–45 (1986). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198600311-00008
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198600311-00008