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The pharmacokinetics of propranolol in 16 hypertensive patients was compared after the first oral dose of 80 mg and during chronic treatment with 80 mg bd. The degree of beta-adrenergic blockade was estimated by the reduction in maximal exercise heart rate. No significant change in plasma half-life occurred and there was no correlation between the mean steady-state propranolol concentration and beta-adrenergic blockade or antihypertensive effect. A linear relationship was observed between the decrease in blood pressure and the reduction in heart rate during maximal exercise. Therefore, the antihypertensive effect of propranolol can be explained by it peripheral beta-adrenergic blocking properties.