title: Vasodilating versus first-generation β-blockers for cardiovascular protection.
abstract: The utility of β-blockers in the treatment of hypertension has created much speculation as to their efficacy in patients with comorbid conditions, and there are concerns regarding their adverse metabolic effects. It is important to note that these findings were observed with traditional β-blockers, such as atenolol and metoprolol. The newer generation of β-blockers, namely carvedilol and nebivolol, is changing the manner in which β-blockers are viewed in hypertension management. Their ability to inhibit A1 adrenoreceptors and influence nitric oxide leads to vasodilation, which traditional β-blockers fail to do. These agents have been shown to have favorable metabolic effects while maintaining the beneficial cardiovascular effects of this drug class in post-myocardial infarction patients and the heart failure population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School-The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fares
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lavie
authors.forename: Hector O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Ventura
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000367:Age Factors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000077261:Carvedilol; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068577:Nebivolol; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001578:Benzopyrans; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002227:Carbazoles; D004983:Ethanolamines; D011412:Propanolamines; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068577:Nebivolol; D000077261:Carvedilol