A 40-year-old politician suffered from attacks of chest pain diagnosed as angina pectoris. He had a tense personality, resting hea rate was 96/min blood pressure 170/104 mm Hg, but blood sugar level and lipid profile were normal. Select the most suitable antihypeensive for the initial therapy in his case:: (A) Nifedipine, (B) Hydrochlorothiazide, (C) Atenolol, (D) Methyldopa
Answer is C. (Ref: KDT 6/e p544) Tense personality and high resting hea rate (96/min.) makes b-blockers ideal candidate drugs to be used in this case. As blood sugar and lipid profile is normal, beta blockers can be used safely.