INVESTIGATIONS OF LIPID PROFILE LEVELS IN PATIENTS TAKING ANTIHYPERTENSIVE MEDICATION: A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY

Background: Hypertension commonly coexists with dyslipidemia, thereby increasing cardiovascular risk. Antihypertensive agents such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may differ in their effects on lipid metabolism. This study aimed to compare the effects of ramipril and telmisartan on serum lipid profile in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, comparative study conducted over 24 weeks in the Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with the Department of Cardiology. Patients aged 30–60 years with newly diagnosed grade 1 hypertension were enrolled. A total of 120 patients completed the study and were randomized to receive either ramipril 2.5 mg once daily (Group 1) or telmisartan 40 mg once daily (Group 2). Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were assessed at baseline and during follow-up. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test. Results: Both treatment groups demonstrated improvement in lipid parameters over the study period. Telmisartan showed a significant reduction in TC, TG, and LDL levels, whereas ramipril produced significant reductions in TC and LDL. Changes in HDL levels were modest in both groups. Although telmisartan demonstrated a greater percentage improvement in lipid parameters, intergroup comparison at the end of 24 weeks showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Ramipril and telmisartan exhibited favorable or neutral effects on serum lipid profile in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension. Telmisartan showed a trend toward better lipid modulation, suggesting it may be a preferred option in hypertensive patients with associated dyslipidemia.