[neverdem]

Now I'm confused - Beta Blockers won't harm you but they are not as effective as other drugs?

Any drug can harm you. So can too much or too little oxygen or water.

That being said, this meta-analysis, i.e. pooling of the results of multiple clinical trials, showed that with respect to the prevention of stroke, other types of anti-hypertensive agents were more effective than beta blockers.

The choice of which drug to use for treating simple, uncomplicated hypertension is straightforward. The current standard of care is to start on a thiazide diuretic. Years ago, either a beta blocker or a thiazide diuretic was standard of care. Once you have any other diagnosis besides hypertension, it can become extremely complicated.

Here are some links sponsored by the gov't. The latter is intended for the general public.

Seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure.

High Blood Pressure

Unless you have some specific questions, ask your doc. P.S. I can't type besides hunt and peck.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Thanks - I'm a total idiot when it comes to understanding medical stuff......... I've been on this drug for a long time, but will check with my physician at the next visit.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Ok, even someone with my limited knowledge of medical issues could have written this article:

ya think?