Antihypertensive activity of metoprolol (24-hour blood pressure monitoringdata)

Hypotensive activity of metoprolol was assessed in 20 patients with mild an d moderate hypertension by means of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. Meto prolol was effective in 72% and normalization of blood pressure was achieve d in 60% of patients. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lowered by 16,4 and 13,2%, respectively. Average levels of 24-hour, diurnal - and noc turnal systolic blood pressure and 24-hour and diurnal diastolic blood pres sure were significantly decreased. Treatment with metoprolol was associated with attenuation of nocturnal blood pressure decline in <<dippers>> and << non-dippers>> and with its augmentation - in <<night-peakers>>. These effec ts were achieved by low doses of the drug: average doses were 53,1+/-7,9 an d 85+/-7,3 mg/day in patients with mild and moderate hypertension, respecti vely. The daily dose of 50 mg was given o.d. while 100 mg - as 50 mg b.i.d.