Effects of oral propranolol in normal subjects

Abstract
The effects of oral propranolol were evaluated in 10 normal volunteers. The resting heart rate decreased from the mean control value of 68 ± 3.3 (SE) to 56 ± 2.8 beats per minute (bpm) on propranolol (p < 0.001, paired t test). Mean systolic blood pressure also decreased from 125 ± 5.0 to 114 ± 4.2 mm Hg (p < 0.03). Resting systolic time intervals were unaffected by propranolol. Mean maximal treadmill exercise tolerance time was not significantly altered by propranolol although the mean heart rate systolic blood pressure product at maximal exertion was markedly decreased (1.91 ± 0.17 vs 2.62 ± 0.17 X 10 4 p < 0.004). The nonsignificant effect of oral propranolol on resting systolic time intervals and maximum exercise tolerance despite significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure at rest and during exercise stand in contrast to the reported effects of intravenous propranolol. Explanations for this difference between the effects of oral and intravenous propranolol in nprmal subjects are examined.

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