1. Twenty-four hour intra-arterial blood pressure measurements and electrocardiograms were obtained from 12 subjects with untreated essential hypertension. 2. The patients kept records of their activity, paying particular attention to times of retiring to bed, and times of waking in the morning. 3. All subjects were treated with a single daily dose of atenolol (50 to 200 mg) for between 2 and 9 months, and then underwent a second 24 h blood pressure study. 4. Arterial blood pressure was lowered significantly throughout the 24 h period with a single daily dose of atenolol.