How long does it take a dose of Atenolol to have an effect on BP?
Patient: How long does it take a dose of atenolol to have an effect on BP?  My MD says that my elevated am is from anxiety and that I do not have high BP.  I need to get my BP down in order to do pulmonary rehab.  I was fine for 19 visits but turned away yesterday.  I am to take 1/2 mg. atenolol.  I am 74, 128 lbs, 5'5" Doctor: firstly sir you should have mentioned wjat was your blood pressure without medicine as blood pressure is catagorised in four catagoriesless then 120/80 is normalpres hypertensive stage 120-139/80-89( life style modification is tried)stage 1 htn 140-159/90-99( medications are added  plus life style modification)stage 2 htn 160-179/100-109 agressive management is required with two or more anti htn medsatenolol is a antii hypertensive drug and blood pressure will start lowering within 1 hour of intake of the drug,though to maintain yopur blood pressure dose of atenolol to optimum you have to keep a record of your bp every third day for  5 times....dose of atenolol will be inreased or decreased according to your blood pressure records