Abstract
Small doses of the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol added to a regimen of diuretic treatment with chlorthalidone in outpatients with essential hypertension depressed the rise in plasma renin activity induced by chlorthalidone significantly although not entirely. Simultaneously, a reduction in blood pressure occurred beyond that already achieved by the diuretic agent. Increasing the dose of propranolol, from 40 to 160 mg/day, caused an additional antihypertensive response with no further renin depression. It is concluded that the antihypertensive effect of large doses of propranolol is due mainly to a renin-independent mechanism, but the reduction in pressure that follows addition of a small dose of the beta blocker may be due to a renin-dependent mechanism brought into action by the rise in plasma renin that is induced by concurrent diuretic therapy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 43-52 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Cardiovascular Medicine |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 1979 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine