Effect of crossing over hypertensive patients from a beta-blocker to an angiotensin receptor antagonist on resistance artery structure and on endothelial function

Abstract

Crossing over essential hypertensive patients with well-controlled blood pressure from the beta-blocker atenolol to the AT1 receptor antagonist irbesartan resulted in correction of previously persistently altered vascular structure and endothelial function, suggesting a structural and endothelial vascular protective effect of antihypertensive treatment with the AT1 receptor antagonist.