Korean Circ J.  1981 Dec;11(2):129-137. 10.4070/kcj.1981.11.2.129.

Hypotensive Effect of Cardioselective Beta-Blockade with Once-Daily Atenolol Therapy in Essential Hypertension

• Suh CG
• Park HM

• KMID: 2229771
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.1981.11.2.129

Abstract

Antihypertensive and untoward effects of atenolol were studied in 20 cases of essential hypertension with their average pre-treatment systolic and diastolic blood pressures of approximately 160mmhg and 100mmhg, respectively. All patients were assigned to a single dose of 50mg atenolol once daily for a period of four weeks, and a weekly complete history and physical examination. Besides routine blood counts and urinalysis, blood chemistry relating to hepatic and renal functions, and electrolytes balance as well as fasting blood sugar levels were checked before and at the end of medication. In addition, in 10 cases, pulmonary function was studied before and after one week of treatment. With the therapy, the diastolic blood pressure fell to 90mmHg or below in 17 out of 20 cases(85%), and the pre-treatment diastolic blood pressure in the remaining three cases who responded poorly was 108mmHg or above. However two cases of the 17, who responded well and whose blood pressure became normal, had an initial diastolic pressure of 110mmHg each. The hypotensive effect of atenolol on both systolic and diastolic blood pressures was essentially similar, and the effect appeared during the first week with its peak effect occurring during the third week. There was no significant difference during treatment between recumbent and sitting blood pressures, both systolic and diastolic; thus no postural hypotension was observed. The comparison of the results of post-treatment laboratory tests with pre-treatment data revealed no significant changes. These suggest that atenolol can be used in patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cerebral sclerosis, which are frquently associated with essential hypertension. Also a once-daily dose with satisfactory hypotensive response is one of very practical advantages of atenolol, particularly from the patient's point of view, in the treatment of hypertension, in which a life-long therapy is needed in most cases. Thus atenolol seems to be one of the most attractive choices of drugs for the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension.

MeSH Terms

Atenolol*
Blood Glucose
Blood Pressure
Chemistry
Diabetes Mellitus
Electrolytes
Fasting
Humans
Hypertension*
Hypotension, Orthostatic
Physical Examination
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Tuberous Sclerosis
Urinalysis
Atenolol
Blood Glucose
Electrolytes