A study of atenolol and nebivolol in prehypertension

Background: Patients with prehypertension have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The coexistence of prehypertension with risk factors increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. That’s why it is important to treat pre-hypertensive patients having risk factors. The objective was to evaluate the effect of atenolol and nebivolol in pre-hypertensive patients. Methods: Pre-hypertensive patients having risk factors were selected, and non-pharmacological therapy was advised to all patients. Those patients who were not able to follow strictly non-pharmacological guidelines and remained pre-hypertensive were included in this study. Pre-hypertensive patients were divided into three groups. One group received atenolol 50 mg orally, once daily. Second group received nebivolol 5 mg orally, once daily. Third group received placebo orally, once daily. All groups received treatment for 1 month. Results: In the nebivolol group after 1 month of study, the mean reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 134.2±3.07-118.26±4.66 and mean reduction in diastolic BP (DBP) was 87.13±1.87-80.73±1.99. Reduction in SBP and DBP in the nebivolol group was significant (p≤0.0001). In the placebo, and atenolol group results were not significant. Conclusion: Nebivolol produces a significant reduction in SBP and DBP in pre-hypertensive patients. Atenolol and placebo did not show beneficial results.