Propranolol in the treatment of essential hypertension
In a series of 450 patients with mild essential hypertension, propranolol
alone (P), propranolol plus hydrochlorothiazide (P+T), propranolol plus
hydralazine (P+H), and propranolol plus hydrochlorothiazide plus
hydralazine (P+T+H) were compared to reserpine plus hydrochlorothiazide
(R+T). Comparison was based on reduction of diastolic blood pressures (BP)
to below 90 mm Hg and at least 5 mm Hg less than initial BP after six
months of treatment. This was achieved in 92% of patients who received
P+T+H, 88% taking R+T, 81% receiving P+T, 72% on P+H and 52% taking P
alone. The number of drop-outs, morbid events, and terminating side effects
were insignificantly different among the various regimens. In this study, P
and P+H were less effective, while P+T and P+T+H were as effective as the
standard regimen.
