Carvedilol is a novel treatment for hypertension, having a balanced pharmacology of vasodilation and beta-receptor blockade. We present here the results of a three-way, multicenter, comparative study on the use of carvedilol, slow-release nifedipine, and atenolol in the management of essential hypertension. A total of 311 patients was entered into the study, of which 293 were randomized to one of the three treatment regimens. Full data are available on 255 patients. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements, in both sitting and standing positions, were taken, together with the heart rate. There was no consistently significant difference between treatments with respect to blood pressure control. Differences in heart rate were more pronounced, with the reduction due to carvedilol being generally intermediate between nifedipine and atenolol. Further studies of carvedilol in hypertension, as well as other indications, are warranted.