Atenolol  was the beta‐blocker most used .
Current evidence suggests that initiating treatment of hypertension with beta‐blockers leads to modest CVD reductions and little or no effects on mortality .
These beta‐blocker effects are inferior to those of other antihypertensive drugs .
Abstract Background Beta‐blockers refer to a mixed group of drugs with diverse pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties .
They have shown long‐term beneficial effects on mortality and cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) when used in people with heart failure or acute myocardial infa rct ion .
Beta‐blockers were thought to have similar beneficial effects when used as first‐line therapy for hypertension .
However , the benefit of beta‐blockers as first‐line therapy for hypertension without compelling indications is controversial .
This review is an up date of a Cochrane Review initially published in 2007 and up date d in 2012 .
Objectives To assess the effects of beta‐blockers on morbidity and mortality endpoints in adults with hypertension .
Baseline predictors of resistant hypertension in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcome Trial (ASCOT): a risk score to identify those at high-risk
Background Resistant hypertension is a well recognized clinical entity , which has been inadequately research ed to date . Methods A multivariable Cox model was developed to identify baseline predictors of developing resistant hypertension among 3666 previously untreated Anglo-Sc and inavian Cardiac Outcome Trial ( ASCOT ) patients and construct a risk score to identify those at high risk . Secondary analyses included evaluations among all 19 257 r and omized patients . Results One-third ( 1258 ) of previously untreated , and one-half ( 9333 ) of all r and omized patients ( incidence rates 75.2 and 129.7 per 1000 person-years , respectively ) developed resistant hypertension during a median follow-up of 5.3 and 4.8 years , respectively . Increasing strata of baseline SBP ( 151–160 , 161–170 , 171–180 , and > 180 mmHg ) were associated with increased risk of developing resistant hypertension [ hazard ratio 1.24 ( 95 % confidence interval , CI 0.81–1.88 ) , 1.50 ( 1.03–2.20 ) , 2.15 ( 1.47–3.16 ) , and 4.43 ( 3.04–6.45 ) , respectively ] . Diabetes , left ventricular hypertrophy , male sex , and raised BMI , fasting glucose , and alcohol intake were other significant determinants of resistant hypertension . R and omization to amlodipine ± perindopril vs. atenolol ± thiazide [ 0.57 ( 0.50–0.60 ) ] , previous use  of aspirin  [ 0.78 ( 0.62–0.98 ) ] , and r and omization to atorvastatin vs. placebo [ 0.87 ( 0.76–1.00 ) ] significantly reduced the risk of resistant hypertension . Secondary analysis results were similar . The risk score developed allows accurate risk allocation ( Harrell 's C-statistic 0.71 ) , with excellent calibration ( Hosmer – Lemeshow & khgr;2 statistics , P = 0.99 ) . A 12-fold ( 8.4–17.4 ) increased risk among those in the highest vs. lowest risk deciles was apparent . Conclusion Baseline SBP and choice of subsequent antihypertensive therapy were the two most important determinants of resistant hypertension in the ASCOT population . Individuals at high risk of developing resistant hypertension can be easily identified using an integer-based risk score
Atenolol  was the beta‐blocker most used .
Current evidence suggests that initiating treatment of hypertension with beta‐blockers leads to modest CVD reductions and little or no effects on mortality .
These beta‐blocker effects are inferior to those of other antihypertensive drugs .
Abstract Background Beta‐blockers refer to a mixed group of drugs with diverse pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties .
They have shown long‐term beneficial effects on mortality and cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) when used in people with heart failure or acute myocardial infa rct ion .
Beta‐blockers were thought to have similar beneficial effects when used as first‐line therapy for hypertension .
However , the benefit of beta‐blockers as first‐line therapy for hypertension without compelling indications is controversial .
This review is an up date of a Cochrane Review initially published in 2007 and up date d in 2012 .
Objectives To assess the effects of beta‐blockers on morbidity and mortality endpoints in adults with hypertension .