[Evaluation of the effectiveness of delayed-action propranolol in the treatment of arterial hypertension].

The reported study was carried out in 25 patients aged 21 to 58 years with essential hypertension in second stage of WHO classification. During three months in 10-day courses they were given alternately 1 placebo tablet or 160 mg propranolol retard in one dose daily. The values of the heart rate and blood pressure were compared before and after the treatment. A significant decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate was noted. The comparison of blood pressure and heart rate values after 10 days on propranolol with those before the treatment showed a statistically significant reduction of these parameters. This is an evidence that the hypotensive action of propranolol retard develops already during 10 days of treatment.