title: Hypertension in general practice. Part II. Pharmacology and rational use of beta-blockade in hypertension.
abstract: Beta-blockers are valuable agents in the treatment of hypertension, being useful at all stages of hypertension except when heart failure is present. They are usually the first choice of therapy in younger patients with mild to moderate hypertension. In elderly or Black patients, added diuretic therapy is essential. Otherwise diuretic therapy is only added if beta-blockade alone is unsuccessful, as it will be in 30-50% of patients. Requirements for an ideal beta-blocker are stated. Costs of currently available beta-blockers are given. The prices of some compare well with those of vasodilators, but thiazide diuretics are much cheaper. Centrally acting agents tend to fall into an intermediate price range. Beta-blockers cannot be prescribed without prior enquiry into a history of asthma (an absolute contraindication) or bronchospasm (an indication for a cardioselective agent), nor without examination of the heart and lungs of the patient.
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists