Abstract
Studies have shown that regular exercise may contribute to a lowering of blood pressure
in hypertensive patients. The extent of the blood pressure reduction, however, appears
to be limited and will in most cases be insufficient to normalize blood pressure in
these patients. Therefore, many of the physically active hypertensive patients will
be treated with antihypertensive agents.
Treatment of physically active patients with uncomplicated hypertension with beta-blocking
agents has disadvantages, since these agents reduce exercise capacity and may affect
trainability in a negative way. β1-Selective blockers have less pronounced effects than β1+2-blockers and may be acceptable for some patients. In patients with very high systolic
blood pressures during exercise and those with impaired oxygen delivery to the heart
during exercise β1-selective blockers may have advantages over other antihypertensive agents, since
they very effectively reduce systolic blood pressure and heart rate during exercise.
Key words
Hypertension - antihypertensive treatment - exercise capacity - training - beta-adrenoceptor
blocking agents
