Metabolic effects of antihypertensive treatment with beta-blockers.

The beneficial effects of beta-blockers on morbidity and mortality have been demonstrated in several prospective long-term trials. The suspected negative metabolic effects of low-dose beta 1-selective-blockers do not appear to be relevant to daily clinical practice, and do not restrict the use of these agents as first choice antihypertensive drugs in diabetic or non-diabetic patients.