Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers are often prescribed for irregular
heartbeats (arrhythmias), high blood pressure, and after heart attacks.
They’re a class of medication used to block the effects of stress
hormones like adrenaline (also called epinephrine) on the heart.
Less commonly, beta-blockers may be used to treat:
- glaucoma
- migraines
- anxiety disorders
- hyperthyroidism
- tremors
Doctors typically turn to beta-blockers for high
blood pressure when other medications like diuretics aren't working or
have too many side effects. They may be used in combination with other
blood pressure lowering medications such as ACE inhibitors or calcium
channel blockers.
How They Work
How Beta-Blockers Work
Beta-blockers are also called beta-adrenergic blocking substances due to the way they work in the body.
Different types of beta-blockers work differently,
but in general, these medications enhance the heart's ability to relax.
Your heart will beat slower and less forcefully when beta-blockers are
working. This can help to reduce blood pressure and alleviate irregular
heart rhythms. Some beta-blockers only work on the heart itself, while
others impact the heart and blood vessels.
Your doctor may prescribe beta-blockers even if you
have few symptoms of heart problems or heart failure. These medications
can actually improve the heart's ability to beat. Commonly prescribed beta-blockers include:
- acebutolol (Sectral)
- atenolol (Tenormin)
- bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- carteolol (Cartrol)
- esmolol (Brevibloc)
- metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
- nadolol (Corgard)
- nebivolol (Bystolic)
- propranolol (Ineral LA)
The Benefits of Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers have been shown to have some positive
health effects outside of helping the heart. For example, they protect
bones by preventing the kidneys from excreting calcium into urine. These
drugs block stress hormones that could otherwise cause thinning over
time.
Beta-blockers aren’t a first line of treatment for
thinning bones or osteoporosis. Stronger bones just may be an extra
benefit of taking these medications.
Side Effects and Risks
Side Effects and Risks of Beta-Blockers
People with asthma typically shouldn’t take
beta-blockers since they can trigger asthma attacks. Because
beta-blockers may affect the control of blood sugar, they’re usually not
recommended for people with diabetes.
Side effects of these medications can vary. Many people will experience:
- fatigue
- cold hands
- headache
- digestive problems
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dizziness
Rarely, you may experience:
- shortness of breath
- trouble sleeping
- decreased libido
- depression
If you accidentally take a larger dose than recommended, you may experience:
- difficulty breathing
- changes in vision
- dizziness
- irregular heartbeats
- confusion
If you know that an overdose has occurred, call your doctor or local poison control center.
Some of the older beta-blockers — like atenolol and
metaprolol — have been reported to cause an average weight gain of 4
pounds. Fluid retention and accompanying weight gain can be signs of
heart failure or worsening heart failure. Be sure to let your doctor
know if you gain more than 3 to 4 pounds or if your symptoms worsen.
You also may notice some changes in the way your
heart works during day-to-day life. For example, beta-blockers prevent
spikes in heart rate. You may notice that your heart rate doesn’t climb
as high as it normally would during exercise.
Speak with your doctor if you're concerned about your
workouts while taking this medication. They may recommend a stress test
to determine your target heart rate during cardio and how hard you feel
you’re working during a workout (rate of perceived exertion).
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