Working ability and exercise tolerance during treatment of mild hypertension. II. A comparison between atenolol and prazosin medication.

The treatments of mild hypertension with atenolol and prazosin in occupationally active men and women were compared in a double blind cross-over with placebo. The hypotensive effect of the beta-adreno-receptor blocking drug, atenolol, were striking and in accordance with current knowledge, using one daily dose of 100 mg. In contrast, the hypotensive effect of taking 2 mg prazosin twice a day was modest, averaging about 3% when compared with placebo, somewhat less but still detectable during the performance of muscular exercises. Atenolol medication significantly reduced heart rate and blood pressure responses to muscular exercises, covering a range of work loads experienced during ordinary working days. No increased feeling of muscular fatigue or other discomfort during muscular work compared to that on prazosin and placebo medication could be detected. It was therefore concluded that atenolol medication was a useful treatment of mild hypertension and did not reduce the normal working ability and exercise tolerance. Prazosin medication did not significantly change working ability and exercise tolerance.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes