Hypertension: possible differential risk for blacks in Beta-Blocker Heart Attack Trial (BHAT).

Previously reported data document that efficacy of beta-adrenergic antagonists in lowering mortality rates after acute myocardial infarction. Similarly, the higher observed mortality rates among blacks in the Beta-Blocker Heart Attack Trial (BHAT) have been addressed. In this report, we further emphasize the apparent role of prior high blood pressure in the high risk profile of black patients radomized in the BHAT and the similarity in response to therapy to other high risk patients in this study.