Starting with too large a dose right off the bat could lower your heart rate and your blood pressure into dangerous territory. You need to be just as careful stopping a beta blocker as starting one.
Quitting suddenly can cause what is known as "rebound angina. Gradually decreasing the dosage can help prevent these problems. If beta receptors existed only in heart cells, beta blockers would be a more ideal cardiac drug. But since beta receptors are found in so many other tissues, these drugs can have unwanted effects throughout the body.
That beta blockers have been in use for half a century is a plus, because it has given doctors and researchers plenty of time to observe how well these medications work, how safe they are, and what side effects they cause. Most people who take a beta blocker experience at least one side effect from the drug. Although these are usually tolerable, about one in five people ends up switching to a different beta blocker or to another type of drug because of side effects.
The most common ones include. The lower the dose, the lower the chances that a beta blocker will cause noticeable side effects. The combination of individual differences and medication differences means it can be a balancing act to find the drug and dosage that work best with the fewest side effects.
If a side effect appears, don't be too quick to switch — adverse effects sometimes go away as the body gets used to the drug. If it persists, changing to a different beta blocker can often take care of the problem. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
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Evoking calm: Practicing mindfulness in daily life helps. Finding balance: 3 simple exercises to steady your steps. Heart Health Beta blockers: Cardiac jacks of all trades December 1, Medically reviewed by Patrick Carroll, MD. Most beta blockers are designed to treat heart conditions, such as high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat or a high risk of heart attack.
Also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta blockers are medications that block the effects of adrenaline, or epinephrine — as well as other stress hormones like noradrenaline — on your heart. Adrenaline and noradrenaline are used by your body to activate your fight-or-flight mechanism , which is designed to protect you in a dangerous situation.
Normally, being in a stressful situation causes your body to secrete increasing levels of stress hormones, including adrenaline, resulting in a noticeably faster heartbeat. You might also notice your hands becoming shaky and sweaty, as well as your voice becoming unsteady and faint. This increase in adrenaline — and its noticeable effects — can cause you to panic when under pressure.
Beta blockers reduce the effects of adrenaline on your heart, making it easier for your heart to relax in the presence of stress hormones. Instead of a fast heartbeat, your heart will beat at a normal pace, limiting the physical effects of adrenaline on your body. There are numerous beta blocker medications available. Most beta blockers target the heart specifically, while others can also target the lungs and blood vessels.
Beta blockers are used to treat several different conditions. Most beta blockers were designed to treat heart conditions such as high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat atrial fibrillation , both of which can contribute to excessive stress on the heart. Many doctors also prescribe beta blockers for anxiety. By blocking the effects of stress hormones like adrenaline on your heart, beta blockers can block the physical effects of anxiety on your body, such as sweating, a rapid heartbeat or dizziness.
Instead, they just make it easier for you to handle the physical reaction your body might have to feelings of anxiety. Some beta blockers are also used to help treat hyperthyroidism, which can contribute to excessive weight loss, tremors, sleep issues, nervousness and other symptoms. Beyond treating heart conditions and reducing the physical effects of anxiety, beta blockers may also have other health benefits.
For example, some beta blockers are linked to reduced levels of bone mineral loss in people with high blood pressure who are at risk for conditions like osteoporosis and bone resorption, when compared to calcium channel blockers. Beta blockers have been in use since the s, but today, there are several beta blockers on the market, many of which are actively used as treatments for heart and anxiety conditions.
Some of the most widely used beta blockers include:. Like almost all medications, beta blockers can have side effects. Most of the side effects of beta blockers are fairly mild.
The vast majority of people who use beta blockers do not experience side effects. Some people who use beta blockers feel fatigued after starting treatment due to the effects of the medication on the heart. Most of the time, this side effect can be avoided by adjusting your dosage or using a different type of beta blocker medication. Many clinical trials have been conducted on beta-blockers and shown to prolong life in patients with cardiovascular disease.
This book is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4. Turn recording back on. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. StatPearls [Internet]. Search term. Affiliations 1 University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Continuing Education Activity Beta-blockers, as a class of drugs, are primarily used to treat cardiovascular diseases and other conditions. Indications Beta-blockers, as a class of drugs, are primarily used to treat cardiovascular diseases and other conditions.
Mechanism of Action The catecholamines, epinephrine, and norepinephrine bind to B1 receptors and increase cardiac automaticity as well as conduction velocity. Administration Beta-blockers are available in oral, intravenous, or ophthalmic forms and are also injectable intramuscularly. Dosages are available in various ranges, depending on the specific medication. Adverse Effects Beta receptors are found all over the body and induce a broad range of physiologic effects.
Contraindications Traditionally, beta-blockers have been contraindicated in asthmatic patients. Monitoring The patient's heart rate and blood pressure require monitoring while using beta-blockers. Toxicity The antidote for beta-blocker overdose is glucagon. Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes Beta-blockers are a broad class of medications that are used for various clinical benefits but also carry the potential for adverse effects. Review Questions Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.
Comment on this article. References 1. Curr Hypertens Rev. Gorre F, Vandekerckhove H. Beta-blockers: focus on mechanism of action. Which beta-blocker, when and why? Acta Cardiol. Mechanisms of the beneficial effects of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists in congestive heart failure. Exp Clin Cardiol. J Cell Mol Med. Fares A. Night-time exogenous melatonin administration may be a beneficial treatment for sleeping disorders in beta blocker patients. J Cardiovasc Dis Res. Weir MR. Beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension: are there clinically relevant differences?
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