Vasodilating versus first-generation β-blockers for cardiovascular protection

Postgrad Med. 2012 Mar;124(2):7-15. doi: 10.3810/pgm.2012.03.2532.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Age Factors
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benzopyrans / adverse effects
  • Benzopyrans / pharmacology
  • Benzopyrans / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Carbazoles / adverse effects
  • Carbazoles / pharmacology
  • Carbazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Carvedilol
  • Ethanolamines / adverse effects
  • Ethanolamines / pharmacology
  • Ethanolamines / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Nebivolol
  • Platelet Aggregation / drug effects
  • Propanolamines / adverse effects
  • Propanolamines / pharmacology
  • Propanolamines / therapeutic use*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / etiology
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / prevention & control
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Benzopyrans
  • Blood Glucose
  • Carbazoles
  • Ethanolamines
  • Propanolamines
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nebivolol
  • Carvedilol