Effect of Carvedilol Controlled-Release (CR) and Atenolol on Central Blood Pressure
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this research study is to determine whether atenolol or controlled release
carvedilol lower blood pressure in the body as effectively as in the arm. Blood pressure
measured in the aorta, a large blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart, may be a
better measure of the harmful effects of high blood pressure on the body's organs. In the
past, blood pressure has only been measured in the arms. However, blood pressure in the arms
may not accurately reflect the blood pressure in the aorta and thus may mislead doctors
treating high blood pressure. For this reason, we are testing whether two different
medications for blood pressure, both in a class called beta blockers, have similar effects on
blood pressure in the arm and aorta.