Beta blockers reduce mortality and morbidity in older
patients with hypertension. Additional indications for
use of beta blockers in older persons include high risk for
coronary disease and prevention of a second myocardial
infarction and heart failure (Table 4).
6
Despite the pharmacokinetic
and pharmacodynamic differences among
various beta blockers, they have similar clinical antihypertensive
efficacy. Atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta),
and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) are cardioselective
beta blockers with low lipid solubility, and therefore have
a preferable side effect profile in older persons.