Nebivolol in high-risk, obese African Americans with stage 1 hypertension: effects on blood pressure, vascular compliance, and endothelial function.

The authors sought to determine whether nebivolol treatment results in changes in blood pressure (BP), nitric oxide bioavailability, and vascular function in obese African Americans with recently diagnosed stage 1 hypertension. Forty-three obese, hypertensive African Americans (mean BP: systolic, 148.8+/-14.3 mm Hg; diastolic, 90.4+/-8.2 mm Hg) were treated with nebivolol (5-10 mg/d) for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were change in systolic and diastolic BP and efficacy in reaching normotensive BP. Mean systolic BP decreased by 9.2+/-14 mm Hg (P<.005) and diastolic BP decreased 6.8+/-9 mm Hg (P<.005) with 8 weeks of therapy. Significant improvements were seen in arterial compliance with nebivolol treatment as measured by aortic augmentation index (P<.005) and time to wave reflection (P=.013). Nebivolol treatment improved endothelial function as measured by flow-mediated dilation (P<.005). Levels of erythrocyte cellular superoxide dismutase increased with nebivolol, indirectly suggesting increased bioavailability of nitric oxide (P<.005). Monotherapy with nebivolol in obese, hypertensive African Americans results in significant systolic and diastolic BP reduction by mechanisms that include improved vascular function and compliance.