Beta Blockers

• by Nim Rod
• 2008-03-31 01:03:19
• Complications
• 1831 views
• 0 comments

I keep seeing people ask quesitons about beta blockers. Maybe the following will answer a question or two.

by Jill Ferguson, PhD

Negative inotropic drugs - beta blockers - lessen the heart's workload by decreasing the rate and the strength of the heartbeat. These effects decrease the amount of blood that the heart pumps, the blood pressure in the vessels and the amount of oxygen that the heart uses. The action of these drugs also leads to a decrease in the electrical activity in the heart.

The effects of these drugs make them very suitable for treating high blood pressure, angina (chest pain caused by heart disease) and heart attacks. Their effects on electrical activity make them useful for the treatment of some types of arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm). Some of these drugs are used in the treatment of heart failure.

Negative inotropic drugs can be divided into three classes based on how they work:

Beta-blockers are usually used for treating high blood pressure, angina, arrhymias, and heart attack.
Calcium-channel blockers are used for treating high blood pressure, angina, and arrhythmias.
Centrally acting sympatholytics are used for treating high blood pressure.

Side Effects of Beta-Blockers

Some of the common side effects of beta-blockers are:
Drowsiness or fatigue
Cold hands and feet
Weakness or dizziness
Dry mouth, eyes and skin

Less common side effects include:

Wheezing, trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Slow heartbeat
Trouble sleeping or vivid dreams while asleep
Swelling of the hands and feet