Blood pressure and pulse response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia during non-selective and selective beta-blockade

Hypoglycemia was induced in ten healthy male volunteers during medication with atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol. The beta-blockers abolished the tachycardia during hypoglycemia. In some subjects bradycardia, and in two nodal bradycardia was observed on propranol. The physiologic blood pressure responses were dampend during the beta1-selective blockade. With propranolol a rise in blood pressure was recorded, in two subjects up to 160/105. The blockers had no effect on degree of hypoglycemia or glucose recovery.