High blood pressure (hypertension)

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Beta blockers

Uses for beta blockers

Doctors prescribe beta blockers to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as:

  • High blood pressure
  • Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
  • Heart failure
  • Chest pain (angina)
  • Heart attacks
  • Glaucoma
  • Migraines
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Certain types of tremors

Beta blockers aren't usually prescribed until other blood pressure medications, such as diuretics, haven't worked effectively. Your doctor may prescribe beta blockers as one of several medications to lower your blood pressure, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics or calcium channel blockers.

Beta blockers may not work as effectively for blacks as for people of other races, especially when taken without other blood pressure medications.

Side effects and cautions

Side effects may occur in people taking beta blockers. However, many people who take beta blockers won't have any side effects.

Common side effects of beta blockers include:

  • Fatigue
  • Cold hands
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness

Less common side effects include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Loss of sex drive
  • Depression

Beta blockers generally aren't used in people with asthma because of concerns that the medication may trigger severe asthma attacks. In people who have diabetes, beta blockers may block signs of low blood sugar, such as rapid heart beat. It's important to monitor your blood sugar on a regular basis.

Beta blockers can also affect your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, causing a slight increase in triglycerides and a modest decrease in high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol. These changes often are temporary. You shouldn't abruptly stop taking a beta blocker because doing so could increase your risk of a heart attack or other heart problems.

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References
  1. Beta blockers: Martindale — The complete drug reference. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com/. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
  2. Medications commonly used to treat heart failure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=118. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
  3. Sheps SG, ed. Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood Pressure. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research;2008:187.
  4. Bangalore S, et al. Relation of beta-blocker-induced heart rate lowering and cardioprotection in hypertension. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2008;52:1482.
  5. Kaplan NM. Beta blockers in hypertension. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2008;52:1490.
  6. Podrid PJ. Major side effects of beta blockers. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 5, 2008.

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Dec. 18, 2008

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