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

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
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.