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Q In patients with primary hypertension, are β blockers more effective than placebo or other antihypertensive drugs for reducing stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and all cause mortality?
Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care★★★★★★☆ IM/Ambulatory care ★★★★★★★ Cardiology ★★★★★★★
METHODS
Data sources:
PubMed and the Cochrane Library.
Study selection and assessment:
randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared β blockers as first line treatment with placebo, no treatment, or other antihypertensive drugs in patients with primary hypertension. Subgroup analyses were conducted for non-atenolol β blockers, mixed β blockers or diuretics, and atenolol. 13 RCTs (n = 133 384) met the selection criteria.
Outcomes:
all cause mortality, stroke, and MI.
MAIN RESULTS
β blockers led to a lower incidence of stroke …
Footnotes
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For correspondence: Professor L H Lindholm, Umea University Hospital, Umea, Sweden. Larsh.lindholm{at}fammed.umu.se
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Source of funding: County of Vasterbotten, Sweden.