OBJECTIVE	To compare the antihypertensive effects of the very-low-dose combination of perindopril ( 2 mg ) and indapamide ( 0.625 mg ) ( one or two tablets per day ) with the beta-blocking agent atenolol ( 50 mg ; one or two tablets per day ) in order to determine whether the combination decreased SBP and pulse pressure more than did atenolol , and whether this decrease occurred in relation to a reduction in arterial stiffness [ aortic pulse wave velocity ( PWV ) ] or a decrease in the intensity of , or delay in , wave reflections ( augmentation index , measured by applanation tonometry ) or a combination of both .\