The Antihypertensive Effect of Lisinopril Compared to Atenolol in Patients with Mild to Moderate Hypertension

n=490 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension

Lisinopril 20 mg once-a-day for 4 weeks, increased up to 80 mg at 4-week intervals if sitting diastolic blood pressure was not well controlled. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 or 25 mg added after 12 weeks if necessary, and titrated upward after 4 weeks to a maximum dose of 25 or 50 mg/day.

Atenolol 50 mg once-a-day for 4 weeks, increased up to 200 mg at 4-week intervals if sitting diastolic blood pressure was not well controlled. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 or 25 mg added after 12 weeks if necessary, and titrated upward after 4 weeks to a maximum dose of 25 or 50 mg/day.

Reduction from baseline in sitting diastolic blood pressure (SDBP) and sitting systolic blood pressure (SSBP)surrogate