Effects of antihypertensive treatment with beta-blockers on glucose metabolism

The beneficial effects of beta-blockers on morbidity and mortality in both essential hypertension and diabetes mellitus have been demonstrated in several antihypertensive trial. Recently, negative side effects of beta-blockers on glucose metabolism have been suggested that could limit their wide-spread use. However, on detailed analysis, any side effects of beta 1-selective beta-blockers on glucose metabolism do not appear to be relevant for clinical practice and hence do not restrict the use of these agents as first-line antihypertensive drugs in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.