Effects of cold exposure on blood pressure, heart rate and forearm blood flow in normotensives during selective and non-selective beta-adrenoceptor blockade.

Abstract

Haemodynamic effects of a cold pressor test (foot immersion for 6 min in water at 5 degrees C) without medication and after the non-selective beta-adrenoceptor blocker propranolol and the selective beta-adrenoceptor blocker metoprolol were studied in 17 volunteers. In the control study as well as in the study with the beta-adrenoceptor blockers cold exposure caused comparable changes, namely a blood pressure rise and a reduction of forearm blood flow. The increase in heart rate during cold exposure was clearly and equally reduced by both beta-adrenoceptor blockers. Plasma noradrenaline rose significantly by 47%, plasma adrenaline did not change. It is concluded, that as to this kind of stress, beta 1-selective-adrenoceptor blockade confers no important advantage over non-selective beta-adrenoceptor blockade.

• Authors: H Houben, T Thien, G Wijnands, A Van't Laar
• Journal: British journal of clinical pharmacology (Br J Clin Pharmacol) Vol. 14 Issue 6 Pg. 867-70 (Dec 1982) ISSN: 0306-5251 [Print] England
• PMID: 6129886 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Atenolol
• Propranolol
• Metoprolol

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Adult
• Atenolol (pharmacology)
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Cold Temperature
• Female
• Forearm (blood supply)
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Metoprolol (pharmacology)
• Propranolol (pharmacology)
• Regional Blood Flow (drug effects)