The Influence of Beta Blockers on Cardiovascular Reactivity and Type A Behavior Pattern in Hypertensives1

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Abstract
The influence of .beta. blockers on type A behavior pattern and cardiovascular reactivity was tested. White, male hypertensive patients (19) were divided at random into 2 therapeutic groups (100 mg atenolol vs. 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide + 5 mg amiloride (control group)). For each patient, the German version of the structured interview was performed before therapy and at a minimum of 4 wk after normalization of clinical resting casual blood pressure (BP). Prior to therapy, there were no differences in age, BP at rest, cardiovascular reactivity and type A between the 2 groups. After therapy, the patients treated with beta blockers changed type A characteristics toward type B, regardless where they started on the type A scale and .beta. blockers attenuated cardiovascular reactivity. Type A (hypertensive patients) was not associated with greater cardiovascular reactivity.