The effect of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist pindolol on exercise performance

1 Fifty-two patients who had been treated for essential hypertension for at least 5 years with once-a-day pindolol alone or in combination with a diuretic participated in a strenuous exercise programme. The 24 h antihypertensive efficacy of once-a-day pindolol was shown in blood pressure readings made before the intake of the day's dose. 2 During the first stage of the study before interruption of therapy, pindolol maintained effective blood pressure control and prevented an excessive rise in blood pressure and heart rate following strenuous exercise. 3 Following a 6 week period of interruption of pindolol therapy, higher blood pressure and heart rate levels were reached following exercise. 4 After reintroduction of a single dose of pindolol, improvement in blood pressure control and lower heart rate levels were again seen following exercise. 5 Compared with the period without drug systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lowered to about the same extent at rest and during exercise after maintenance pindolol and after a single dose of pindolol following a 6 week interruption period, but pre-exercise levels rose considerably during the period when therapy was discontinued.