[Prevalence of essential arterial hypertension in workers in a metal-mechanic factory. Effects of long-term therapy with a beta-1 blocker]

The research over 1023 patients examined in a metallurgical firm for prevalence of essential hypertension has proven that 144 subjects were hypertensive (5 secondary and 139 essential hypertension). 51 patients (35.4%) did not know to be hypertensive, 26 (18%) were without therapy and 57 (39.5%) were inadequately treated. 75 subjects with essential hypertension were treated once daily with Atenolol 100 mg. After a six months treatment 85.4% of patients reached a good control of blood pressure (lying diastolic blood pressure less than or equal to 95 mmHg). Atenolol was well tolerated, few collateral effects have been encountered (13.3%) but mainly the treatment did not cause weakness nor diminished the work capability of the subjects which instead had proven to happen with non selective beta-blocking drugs