Are beta-blockers efficacious as first-line therapy for hypertension in the elderly? A systematic review

Article Abstract:

Elderly patients with hypertension should not be given beta blockers. Researchers analyzed 10 clinical trials covering 16,164 hypertensive elderly patients that studied the use of diuretics and/or beta blockers. High blood pressure was controlled in two-thirds of the patients taking diuretics alone but only in one-third of those taking beta blockers alone. Only diuretic therapy lowered the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and overall mortality.

Adrenergic beta blockers, Adrenergic beta-antagonists, Diuretics

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A calcium antagonist vs a non-calcium antagonist hypertension treatment strategy for patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized controlled trial

Article Abstract:

A calcium channel blocker may be as effective as a beta blocker in treating high blood pressure in elderly people with coronary artery disease, according to a study of 22,576 patients. In this study, the calcium channel blocker was verapamil and the beta blocker was atenolol. Beta blockers may not be as effective in elderly people as they are in younger patients.

Cooking, Verapamil, Atenolol, Cookery for hypertensives

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