Clinical and Haemodynamic Study of Atenolol (Tenormin) in Essential Hypertension

1. The β₁-adrenoreceptor-blocking agent atenolol was studied in the treatment of twelve out-patients with essential hypertension.

2. With a mean dose of 110 mg of atenolol daily (range 75–200 mg/day) we observed a pronounced decrease in blood pressure.

3. Only minimal side effects were seen.

4. Cardiac output decreased from 4·6 to 3·4 l/min during treatment. This decrease did not correlate with the decrease in blood pressure but correlated well with the changes in calculated total peripheral resistance.