Propranolol in the treatment of essential hypertension.

In a series of 450 patients with mild essential hypertension, propranolol alone (P), propranolol plus hydrochlorothiazide (P+T), propranolol plus hydralazine (P+H), and propranolol plus hydrochlorothiazide plus hydralazine (P+T+H) were compared to reserpine plus hydrochlorothiazide (R+T). Comparison was based on reduction of diastolic blood pressures (BP) to below 90 mm Hg and at least 5 mm Hg less than initial BP after six months of treatment. This was achieved in 92% of patients who received P+T+H, 88% taking R+T, 81% receiving P+T, 72% on P+H and 52% taking P alone. The number of drop-outs, morbid events, and terminating side effects were insignificantly different among the various regimens. In this study, P and P+H were less effective, while P+T and P+T+H were as effective as the standard regimen.