Dr. Gorwit studies how different medications can help patients with angina, a condition characterized by chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart. He evaluates drugs like amlodipine, isradipine, and isosorbide-5-mononitrate to determine how they improve patients' ability to exercise and manage symptoms. In addition to angina, his research also covers hypertension, especially in older adults, exploring medications that support blood pressure control without significant side effects. His findings help doctors understand which treatments can enhance living quality for patients with these cardiovascular conditions.
Key findings
In a study of amlodipine, patients could exercise 14% longer and experienced 25% more time before feeling chest pain compared to when they weren't on the drug, indicating its effectiveness in angina management.
Isradipine treatment allowed patients to exercise 51 seconds longer before their first dose and 78 seconds longer three hours after taking it, showing improvement in exercise tolerance for angina patients.
Patients on isosorbide-5-mononitrate demonstrated significantly longer walking times than those on placebo, with benefits lasting up to 7 hours after taking the medication without a significant increase in chest pain attacks after cessation.
Dilevalol lowered blood pressure effectively with fewer side effects than propranolol, offering a new option for high blood pressure management while being better tolerated.
Chlorthalidone was found to be effective at a lower dose of 12.5 mg in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension, minimizing side effects while achieving significant blood pressure control.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Gorwit study angina?
Yes, Dr. Gorwit conducts research on angina, specifically focusing on how certain medications improve symptoms and exercise tolerance in patients.
What treatments has Dr. Gorwit researched for high blood pressure?
Dr. Gorwit has studied various treatments, including dilevalol and chlorthalidone, focusing on their effectiveness and side effects in patients with high blood pressure.
Is Dr. Gorwit's work relevant to elderly patients?
Yes, his research includes studies on blood pressure medications that are particularly beneficial for older adults with hypertension.
What are the benefits of the medications Dr. Gorwit studies?
The medications Dr. Gorwit studies can help improve exercise capacity, minimize chest pain, and effectively manage blood pressure, enhancing overall patient quality of life.
How does Dr. Gorwit's research help patients?
His research provides evidence on the effectiveness of treatments that help manage symptoms of chest pain and high blood pressure, guiding doctors in selecting the best care for their patients.
Publications in plain English
Randomized Placebo-Controlled Withdrawal Study of Amlodipine in Agina Pectoris.
1995
American journal of therapeutics
Gorwit J, Haidet GC, Russell DC, Tonkon M, Deedwania PC +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how well the heart medication amlodipine works for patients with chest pain from angina and whether stopping the medication causes any issues. Researchers found that after taking amlodipine, patients could exercise 14% longer and experienced 25% more time before feeling chest pain compared to when they weren’t on the drug. When amlodipine was stopped for some patients, their symptoms worsened, while those who continued taking it saw little change in their condition.
Who this helps: Patients with angina can benefit from continued amlodipine treatment to manage their symptoms effectively.
Lack of pharmacologic tolerance and rebound angina pectoris during twice-daily therapy with isosorbide-5-mononitrate.
1994
Annals of internal medicine
Thadani U, Maranda CR, Amsterdam E, Spaccavento L, Friedman RG +4 more
Plain English This study looked at whether isosorbide-5-mononitrate (IS-5-MN), a medication for chest pain caused by heart issues, could improve exercise ability and prevent worsening of symptoms when taken twice a day. The researchers found that patients taking IS-5-MN could walk significantly longer compared to those on a placebo, with improvements seen as long as 7 hours after the morning dose. They also noted that there was no increase in chest pain attacks after stopping the medication, and the drug was generally well tolerated despite some patients reporting headaches.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with stable angina by providing a reliable treatment option that enhances activity without increasing pain.
Duration of effects of isradipine during twice daily therapy in angina pectoris.
1994
Cardiovascular drugs and therapy
Thadani U, Chrysant S, Gorwit J, Giles T, Archer S +5 more
Plain English This study focused on isradipine, a medication used to treat high blood pressure, and its effects on patients with chest pain (angina). Researchers found that patients taking isradipine were able to exercise longer compared to those on a placebo; specifically, they exercised 51 seconds longer before their first dose and 78 seconds longer three hours after the dose. This matters because it shows that isradipine can help improve exercise tolerance in angina patients, providing better management of their symptoms.
Who this helps: Patients with chronic angina.
Dilevalol compared with propranolol and placebo for systemic hypertension.
1989
The American journal of cardiology
Schoenberger JA, Frishman WH, Wallin JD, Gorwit J, Davidov ME +4 more
Plain English The study looked at a new blood pressure medication called dilevalol and compared it to a common drug called propranolol and a placebo (a non-active treatment). Researchers found that dilevalol, taken once a day, effectively lowered blood pressure just as well as taking propranolol twice a day, and it was much better than taking a placebo. Importantly, patients experienced fewer side effects like fatigue and slow heart rate compared to propranolol, although some did report more diarrhea or loose stools.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients with high blood pressure by offering a potentially more effective and better-tolerated treatment option.
Isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly. A placebo-controlled, dose-response evaluation of chlorthalidone.
1986
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Morledge JH, Ettinger B, Aranda J, McBarron F, Barra P +2 more
Plain English This study looked at how well different doses of the blood pressure medication chlorthalidone work for older adults (60 years and up) with a specific type of high blood pressure called isolated systolic hypertension. Researchers found that 12.5 mg of chlorthalidone was effective for most patients without causing significant side effects, while higher doses (25.0 mg and 50.0 mg) offered only slight improvements and had more side effects. This matters because it shows that a lower dose can help treat high blood pressure in elderly patients safely and effectively.
Who this helps: Older patients with high blood pressure.
Limitations of continuous ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring for detecting coronary artery disease.
1978
Annals of internal medicine
Crawford MH, Mendoza CA, O'Rourke RA, White DH, Boucher CA +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how well continuous ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring can detect coronary artery disease in patients who have chest pain but normal resting ECGs. Out of 70 patients tested, the monitoring correctly identified 62% of those with the disease and had a specificity of 61%, meaning it also misidentified some healthy patients. Combining the results with a treadmill test improved detection rates to 85%, but it still couldn't reliably rule out disease in over half of the patients without it.
Who this helps: This information is valuable for doctors treating patients with chest pain, helping them choose better diagnostic methods.
Left ventricular performance in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy caused by systemic arterial hypertension.
1977
British heart journal
Karlinger JS, Williams D, Gorwit J, Crawford MH, O'Rourke RA
Plain English This study examined how the left ventricle (a heart chamber) functions in 18 patients with thickened heart muscle due to high blood pressure. Researchers found that all patients had signs of heart muscle thickening, but interestingly, 16 out of 18 patients showed normal heart performance levels during rest. This is important because it indicates that even though their hearts are adapting to increased pressure, their basic pumping ability remains intact.
Who this helps: This information benefits doctors treating patients with high blood pressure and heart muscle thickening.