Different patterns of peripheral versus central blood pressure in hypertensive patients treated with β-blockers either with or without vasodilator properties or with angiotensin receptor blockers

242 hypertensive patients aged 35-65 years (mean age 52, 61% female) chronically treated with antihypertensives, matched for brachial BP and concomitant use of diuretics (75-81%) and dihydropyridine calcium antagonists (27-33%).

Vasodilating beta-blockers (carvedilol/nebivolol 25+25 mg/day/5 mg/day, n=75) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs, n=83)

Atenolol (50-100 mg/day, n=84)

Central systolic blood pressure, central-peripheral pulse pressure amplification, wave reflection (augmentation index corrected for heart rate), and augmentation pressuresurrogate