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The effectiveness of diltiazem (a calcium channel blocker) and propranolol (a beta blocker) as monotherapy for mild to moderate essential hypertension was compared in a large, multicenter, double-blind study. The influence of demographic factors (such as age, gender, race, and smoking history) on response to therapy was also evaluated.
Overall, no significant difference in efficacy was observed between the two treatment groups; both drugs produced significant reductions in blood pressure. About 40 percent of patients in each group did not attain the blood pressure goal. However, the addition of hydrochlorothiazide produced an additional antihypertensive response in these patients, especially in the propranolol group. Although demographic fac…