New approaches to the uses of beta blocking drugs in hypertension

After a slow start, beta-blockers have become widely used as first-line agents in the treatment of hypertension, and recommended as such in recently published guidelines. There is evidence that the beta(1)-selective agents are more efficacious than non-selective blockers that inhibit both beta(1) and beta(2) receptors. Notwithstanding some earlier evidence to the contrary, it appears that beta(1)-selective drugs are equi-effective in young and elderly whites, younger, ie, under mid 60s, blacks. It is with the combination of age and being black that beta-blockers are usually less useful than some other groups of antihypertensive drugs, most notably calcium antagonists and diuretics. Primary prevention studies indicate beta-blockers reduce the incidence of cerebro-vascular disease and coronary heart disease in younger patients but they appear less effective than diuretics in the elderly. Beta-blockers are particularly indicated in patients who have experienced a myocardial infarction where they are often under used. There is some evidence that even in post-infarction patients with co-existent chronic obstructive airways disease, usually regarded as a contra-indication, experience an improved 2-year survival with the use of beta-blockers. Recently they have also been demonstrated to improve prognosis in heart failure patients, previously regarded as a contra-indication. Likewise, recent studies have shown that atenolol was at least as effective as captopril in improving the outlook in hypertensive patients with non-insulin dependant diabetes. While earlier comparisons with the non-selective lipid soluble propranolol indicated otherwise, comparisons with beta(1)-selective agents have indicated a similar effect on quality of life assessments with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.