Can β-blockers influence regular daily physical activity?

Background: In hypertension, β-blockers have a high rate of nonadherence to treatment likely because of fatigue. Methods: We evaluate daily physical activity and maximal exercise performance in 56 patients with hypertension (grades I–II), with and without β-blockers (bisoprolol 10 mg or atenolol 100 mg) added to standard treatment; 48 patients completed the study. Study tests were performed after 8 weeks of antihypertensive therapy without β blockers and after the following 8 weeks with β-blockers. Results: No significant differences between β-blockers were observed. At office measurement, β-blockers decreased heart rate (HR) from 78 ± 9 to 62 ± 7 bpm (P 
Source: Journal of Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research