Effect of propranolol on elevated arterial blood pressure

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 534 - 542
• Main Authors: Richardson, D W, Freund, J, Gear, A S, Mauck, Jr, H P, Preston, L W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-04-1968
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antihypertensive Agents - therapeutic use; Bilirubin - blood; Blood Cell Count; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Body Weight - drug effects; Carbon Dioxide - blood; Chlorides - blood; Chlorthalidone - administration & dosage; Chlorthalidone - therapeutic use; Clinical Trials as Topic; Creatinine - blood; Female; Heart Rate - drug effects; Hemoglobinometry; Humans; Hypertension - drug therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Placebos; Posture; Potassium - blood; Propranolol - administration & dosage; Propranolol - adverse effects; Propranolol - therapeutic use; Sodium - blood
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/01.CIR.37.4.534

Nineteen patients with moderately severe arterial hypertension received propranolol (120 mg daily), or chlorthalidone (100 mg daily), both medications together, and placebos in a double-blind crossover trial. Each treatment was given for 5 weeks; blood pressure was measured at weekly intervals. Propranolol alone reduced arterial pressure by 9/8 mm Hg, a statistically insignificant change. Use of chlorthalidone alone was accompanied by an average reduction in arterial blood pressure of 23/9 mm Hg. Both drugs together lowered blood pressure by 33/15 mm Hg. Heart rate was lower in regimens including propranolol; body weight and serum potassium and chloride concentration were lower and blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were higher in regimens containing chlorthalidone. Propranolol, in the dose given, is a less effective hypotensive drug than is chlorthalidone.