Effects of long-term treatment with low doses of carteolol on cardiovascular regulatory functions in elderly patients with mild hypertension.

Circulatory autonomic functions and resting and exercise hemodynamics were studied before and six months after daily administration of 5 mg of carteolol in seven elderly patients with mild hypertension. Blood pressure was reduced in all but one patient. In maximal exercise tests, blood pressure and heart rate responses were significantly attenuated after carteolol treatment, without reduction in exercise capacity. Cardiac index at rest was not affected. Cardiac parasympathetic activity, baroreflex function, and plasma catecholamine, renin, aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide, and vasopressin levels did not change during treatment. The results suggest that long-term use of low doses of carteolol may reduce blood pressure without affecting circulatory regulatory functions, even in elderly patients with mild hypertension.