Atenolol and Timolol

Abstract

To the Editor: In a recent review of two β-blockers released for clinical use in the United States (June 17 issue) Frishman discusses the use of atenolol in treating hypertension.¹ One side effect not mentioned in the review is the induction of lipoprotein abnormalities during β-blockade. The general pattern in most studies seems to be an increase in the concentration of very-low-density lipoproteins and a decrease in the concentration of high-density lipoproteins during β-blockade.² Hyperlipoproteinemia is common in patients with hypertension, and an incidence of up to 40 per cent — twice as high as in controls — has . . .