Browsing by Author "Volmink, Jimmy"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Cochrane corner: beta-blockers for hypertension
    (BMJ Publishing Group, 2017) Wiysonge, Charles S.; Bradley, Hazel A.; Volmink, Jimmy; Mayosi, Bongani M.
    Beta-blockers refer to an assorted group of medications that block the action of endogenous catecholamines on beta-adrenergic receptors.1 The ß1 and ß2 receptorsare the primary beta-adrenergic receptors in the human cardiovascular system. Beta- blockers differ in their ß1/ ß2-receptor selectivity and vasodilatory properties. Based on this diversity, beta-blockers have been categorised into first, second and third generation. First-generation beta-blockers, also referred to as non-selective blockers, possess equal affinity for ß1 and ß2 receptors. Second-generation (or selective) beta-blockers exercise more affinity for ß1 than ß2 receptors. Neither of these traditional beta-blockers has vasodilatory properties, which is an intrinsic characteristic of third-generation beta-blockers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Cochrane corner: beta-blockers for hypertension
    (BMJ, 2018) Wiysonge, Charles S.; Bradley, Hazel A.; Volmink, Jimmy; Mayosi, Bongani M.
    Beta-blockers refer to an assorted group of medications that block the action of endogenous catecholamines on beta-adrenergic receptors.1 The β1 and β2 receptors are the primary beta-adrenergic receptors in the human cardiovascular system. Beta-blockers differ in their β1/β2-receptor selectivity and vasodilatory properties. Based on this diversity, beta-blockers have been categorised into first, second and third generation. First-generation beta-blockers, also referred to as non-selective blockers, possess equal affinity for β1 and β2 receptors. Second-generation (or selective) beta-blockers exercise more affinity for β1 than β2 receptors. Neither of these traditional beta-blockers has vasodilatory properties, which is an intrinsic characteristic of third-generation beta-blockers.2 Beta-blockers have been known to play a role in blood pressure control since 1949.3 We summarise the findings of a Cochrane Review we published in 2017 on the comparative effects of beta-blockers as initial treatment for hypertension.4 This is an update of a review we first published 10 years ago.5–7