Atenolol use is associated with long-term mortality in community-dwelling older adults with hypertension

The role of atenolol, a non-vasodilating beta-blocker drug, on long-term mortality in hypertensive older adults is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate long-term mortality in community-dwelling hypertensive older adults taking atenolol.

Long-term mortality after 12-year follow up in isolated hypertensive older adults (n = 972) was analyzed. The patients were stratified in the presence and absence of atenolol use. Systolic, diastolic and pulse arterial pressure were measured.

Older adults taking atenolol showed a greater mortality and higher pulse arterial pressure values than those not taking atenolol (73.9% vs 55.0%; P = 0.047 and 74.7 ± 14.1 vs 63.0 ± 14.2 mmHg, P < 0.001, respectively). Cox regression analysis showed that atenolol use (hazard risk 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.04-4.31; P = 0.04) and pulse arterial pressure (hazard risk 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.03; P = 0.032) were predictive of long-term mortality.

Atenolol use was related to increased mortality in community-dwelling hypertensive Older adults. This increase in mortality risk seems to be related to an increase of pulse arterial pressure.