A review if given of the use of propranolol in hypertension emphasizing the importance of the studies by Prichard and Gillam in 1964 and 1969. The current use of propranolol in hypertension as regards dosage, dose intervals and starting doses is also outlined. Moreover, the combined treatment with propranolol and vasodilators is briefly described, as are attempts to make predictions of the therapeutic response by studying various haemodynamic and laboratory parameters. Finally, an attempt is made to assess the future role of propranolol in the treatment of hypertension in comparison with other antihypertensive drugs.