Beta-blockers for hypertension: are they going out of style?

Although beta-blockers lower blood pressure in most patients, the outcomes of clinical hypertension trials of these drugs have been disappointing, and the value of beta-blockers in treating hypertensive patients who do not have compelling indications for them has been questioned. Until these drugs are proved beneficial, they should be used as antihypertensive therapy only in patients with compelling cardiac indications for them or as add-on agents in those with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension.