Knowledge of the sympathetic system is a basic element in the understanding of numerous physiological and physiopathological phenomena. In the two last decades, new pharmacological, biochemical and molecular tools have changed our approach to the roles of beta-adrenoceptors in the cardiovascular system. In the heart, the positive inotropic effect of predominant beta 1-adrenoceptor stimulation is classically recognised. Several studies reveal a significant physiological relevance of the beta 2-adrenoceptor which could activate different signalling pathways in addition to that of cAMP. Moreover, the detection of a third beta-adrenoceptor subtype, beta 3, in human heart, responsible for a negative inotropic effect through a NO signalling pathway, has changed the classically admitted paradigm on the regulation of heart function by the beta-adrenergic system. The identification of atypical beta-adrenoceptors, based on pharmacological tools, led to the discovery of "putative" beta 4-adrenoceptors, which constituted a low affinity state of the beta 1-adrenoceptors. In vessels, all beta-adrenoceptors subtypes, beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3, mediated a vasodilation, but the signalling pathway involved in this effect was variable according to their localization (endothelial or smooth muscle cells), the species and the vascular bed. beta-adrenoceptors are involved in several cardiovascular disease and could constitute a determinant therapeutic target. The efficiency of some beta-blockers used in the treatment of heart failure could result from action on beta 3-adrenoceptors. Moreover, a mutation of the beta-adrenoceptor subtype suggested a role in hypertension and diabetes mellitus.