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Comparison between atenolol and nadolol in essential hypertension at rest and on exercise

R G Wilcox, J R Hampton

    British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
    |June 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Atenolol and nadolol effectively lowered blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Nadolol induced a more significant heart rate reduction, impacting exercise response, but both drugs showed similar hypotensive effects.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Pharmacology
    • Hypertension Research

    Background:

    • Essential hypertension is a common cardiovascular condition requiring effective pharmacologic management.
    • Beta-adrenoceptor blockers are frequently prescribed for hypertension, but comparative effects require elucidation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare the effects of atenolol and nadolol on cardiovascular parameters during rest and exercise in patients with essential hypertension.
    • To assess the impact of these beta-blockers on heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived exertion.

    Main Methods:

    • A single-blind, crossover trial involving fifteen patients with essential hypertension.
    • Four treatment periods: once-daily atenolol (100 mg), nadolol (80 mg, 160 mg), and placebo for four weeks each.
    • Measurements included resting and exercise heart rate, blood pressure, double-product, and perceived exertion during treadmill exercise.

    Main Results:

    • Both atenolol and nadolol significantly reduced resting and exercise blood pressures similarly.
    • Nadolol produced greater bradycardia (slowing of heart rate) at rest and during exercise compared to atenolol.
    • Neither drug altered peak expiratory flow rate, and perceived exertion increased linearly with exercise intensity for all treatments.

    Conclusions:

    • Atenolol and nadolol are effective antihypertensive agents with comparable blood pressure-lowering effects.
    • Nadolol's pronounced bradycardic effect may influence exercise hemodynamics differently than atenolol.
    • These beta-blockers do not impair ventilatory function during exercise in hypertensive patients.

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