[Blood pressure lowering efficacy of beta-blockers added to monotherapy with a thiazid or a calcium antagonist--a survey of a Cochrane review]

Abstract

A blood pressure fall of 6-8/4-6 mmHg is seen when a beta-blocker is added to a thiazid or a calcium antagonist. Due to less protection against cardiovascular complications, most likely explained by an insufficient reduction in the central aortic blood pressure profile betablockers, especially atenolol, is no longer first choice treatment for hypertension, unless ischaemic heart disease or heart failure is present.