|
COPYRIGHT 2003 International Medical News Group
[YES] [beta]-blockers, in combination with diuretics, reduce morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients as well, and in as many patients, as other medications. In addition, [beta]-blockers are highly effective in the treatment of angina, postmyocardial infarction, and heart failure, which are present in many elderly patients.
The current tendency to malign these useful medications springs from a series of trials that are said to disprove their usefulness in elderly hypertensives, although the results themselves do not adequately do so. This is reflected in Dr. Franz Messerli's metaanalysis of 10 such studies, on which bases his argument against their use as primary therapy (JAMA 279[23]:1903-07, 1998).
One study--the British Medical Research Council trial in the elderly--randomized elderly patients to receive atenolol, diuretic plus amiloride, or placebo. The results seemed to favor diuretic-based therapy over the [beta]-blocker because it showed significantly reduced rates of cerebrovascular events, stroke, coronary disease, and cardiovascular mortality The [beta]-blocker didn't appear to...
Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.
|
Bookmark this article
Print this article
Link to this article
Email this article
Digg It!
Add to del.icio.us
RSS
