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Current place of beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension

Agata Bielecka-Dabrowa1, Wilbert S Aronow, Jacek Rysz

  • 1Department of Hypertension, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.

Current Vascular Pharmacology
|July 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Beta-blockers effectively lower blood pressure for hypertension but their impact on cardiovascular outcomes is debated. Current guidelines suggest they are not the preferred first-line treatment for uncomplicated hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular risk factor affecting over 25% of adults in developed nations.
  • Beta-blockers have been used for hypertension treatment for over 40 years, demonstrating blood pressure-lowering effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current application of beta-blockers in hypertensive patients.
  • To discuss the 2009 European Society of Hypertension guidelines regarding beta-blocker use.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on beta-blockers and hypertension.
  • Analysis of current European Society of Hypertension guidelines.

Main Results:

  • The efficacy of beta-blockers in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients remains controversial.
  • Previous recommendations indicated that beta-blockers should not be prioritized as first-line therapy for hypertension.

Conclusions:

  • The role of beta-blockers in uncomplicated hypertension is still under debate.
  • This review provides an overview of current knowledge and recent guideline recommendations on beta-blocker therapy for hypertension.

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