Withdrawal of antihypertensive drug treatment: time-course for redevelopment of hypertension and effects upon left ventricular mass

54 men, aged 56 years, with primary hypertension treated for a mean period of 6 years (primarily beta 1-selective beta-blockade). Excluded: signs of organ damage, severe hypertension, other serious disease.

Gradual discontinuation of antihypertensive treatment with close follow-up of blood pressure

Number of patients who could withdraw from treatment and who had to return to pharmacological therapy; time-courses for development of hypertension; absolute changes in left ventricular mass (LVM)surrogate