Resumen

VELASCO, M et al. Uso de los Antagonistas Beta-Adrenérgicos en la Hipertensión Arterial. AVFT [online]. 2002, vol.21, n.2, pp.139-147. ISSN 0798-0264.

Beta-blockers are drugs designed to competitively inhibit beta-receptors and thus to modulate activity of the sympathetic nervous system. The beta-blockers are normally distinguished based on their selectivity for beta-receptors. The nonselective beta-blockers, including propanolol, pindolol, nadolol, timolol and labetalol each antagonize both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. The Selective antagonists including metoprolol, atenolol, esmolol and acebutolol, each has much greater binding affinity for the beta-1 adrenergic receptor. The selective beta-blockers are normally indicated for patients in whom beta-2 receptor antagonism might be associated with an increased risk of adverse effects. Such patients include those with asthma or diabetes, or patients with peripheral vascular disease or Raynaud‘s disease. Some beta-blockers have partial agonist (intrinsic sympathomimetic) activity. Beta-blockers, as monotherapy or combined with others drugs, have proven effective in reducing the symptoms of angina pectoris and in reducing morbidity and mortality after myocardial infarction. Therefore, are the drugs of choice in patients with elevated blood pressure and myocardial infarction or angina. Many are commonly used in the treatment of patients with frequent recurrent migraine, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, acute anxiety, and glaucoma. This article present a detailed review on beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension.

Palabras clave : Hypertension; Adrenergic receptor; Beta-blockers.