AbstractA total of 38 patients aged 61 to 89 years, mean age 72 years, were treated with the β‐adrenergic blocking agent, alprenolol, in a dosage of 400 mg daily for three months. Blood pressure decreased significantly. While the systolic blood pressure decreased to a greater extent during the first week of treatment, the diastolic pressure declined continuously. A significant decrease of heart rate occurred. After one week's treatment signs of congestive heart failure appeared in three patients and were compensated by digitalis in two cases. In one case treatment with alprenolol had to be interrupted. No signs of heart failure after alprenolol appeared later during the treatment. The concomitant use of alprenolol with digitalis, diuretics or oral hypoglycemic agents did not cause any negative interacti