Aim The role of atenolol, a non‐vasodilating beta‐blocker drug, on long‐term mortality in hypertensive older adults is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate long‐term mortality in community‐dwelling hypertensive older adults taking atenolol. Methods Long‐term mortality after 12‐year follow up in isolated hypertensive older adults (n = 972) was analyzed. The patients were stratified in the presence and absence of atenolol use. Systolic, diastolic and pulse arterial pressure were measured. Results Older adults taking atenolol showed a greater mortality and higher pulse arterial pressure values than those not taking atenolol (73.9% vs 55.0%; P = 0.047 and 74.7 ± 14.1 vs 63.0 ± 14.2 mmHg, P < 0.001, respectively). Cox regression analysis showed that atenolol use (hazard risk 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.04–4.31; P = 0.04) and pulse arterial pressure (hazard risk 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.03; P = 0.032) were predictive of long‐term mortality. Conclusions Atenolol use was related to increased mortality in community‐dwelling hypertensive Older adults. This increase in mortality risk seems to be related to an increase of pulse arterial pressure. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; ●●: ●●–●●.