Nonselective beta blockers should be used with caution, if at all, in smokers or people with asthma or other lung conditions. A number of beta blockers, including atenolol Tenormin and metoprolol Toprol, Lopressor , were designed to block only beta-1 receptors in heart cells. Since they don't affect beta-2 receptors in blood vessels and the lungs, cardioselective beta blockers are safer for people with lung disorders.
Some beta blockers do more than block beta receptors. Labetalol Normodyne, Trandate blocks alpha receptors, too. This further helps relax blood vessels. Nebivolol Bystolic stimulates the inner lining of blood vessels the endothelium to generate nitric oxide, which helps the vessels relax. Carvedilol Coreg does both. The Oregon researchers found compelling evidence that taking a beta blocker after having had a heart attack lowers the chances of a repeat heart attack or an early death.
These drugs also increase the chances of living longer and better with heart failure. The reviewers found that different beta blockers work better for different conditions. Beta blockers are generally safe to take. Side effects tend to be annoying, not life-threatening. Doctors long withheld beta blockers from people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease over worries that these drugs would worsen symptoms, but a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that judicious use of beta blockers may decrease flare-ups of this common breathing problem and improve survival.
Which one is right for you depends on the reason you need it, your other cardiovascular and medical conditions, and side effects.
As part of its Best Buy Drugs series, Consumer Reports offers recommendations based on effectiveness, safety, and cost. You can download the report at health. How often you take a beta blocker depends on the medication. Some are once-a-day, extended-release pills; others must be taken in the morning and in the evening. As with every medication and supplement you take, talk with your doctor or nurse if you have questions.
Starting a beta blocker isn't like starting aspirin or many other drugs, with everyone taking the same dose. It's important to start at a low dose and gradually work your way upward. 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. This is a crucial part of responding to danger. If the body releases high levels of adrenaline, a person may experience a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, excessive sweating , anxiety, and heart palpitations.
Blocking the release of these hormones lowers stress on the heart and reduces the force of the contractions of the heart muscle. In turn, it also takes pressure off the blood vessels in the heart, the brain, and the rest of the body.
Beta-blockers also obstruct the production of angiotensin II, which is a hormone that the kidneys produce. This relaxes and widens the blood vessels, easing the flow of blood through them. Beta-blockers have a range of uses. The sections below outline some of them. They can help treat or prevent the following :. In , the American Academy of Neurology and American Headache Society recommended using propranolol and metoprolol, both of which are types of beta-blocker, as a first-line therapy for preventing migraine.
A review of trials from around the world concluded that propranolol was more effective than a placebo in preventing migraine and tension-type headaches. Overall, the results suggested that this medication can reduce the number of episodes a person experiences from five to three per month. Glaucoma is a condition in which pressure grows within the eye due to a buildup of fluid.
It is a common cause of vision loss among older adults. Doctors often prescribe eye drops containing beta-blockers to lower the production of this fluid and reduce pressure within the eye.
Beta-blockers block the effects of stress hormones. As a result, they can also reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety , such as trembling and sweating. Although they do not have approval from the Food and Drug Administration FDA for treating anxiety, doctors may prescribe them off-label for this purpose. However, beta-blockers cannot treat anxiety itself. Other treatments, such as counseling, can help address the underlying causes of anxiety. Beta-blockers can reduce symptoms such as tremor and a rapid heart rate in people with an overactive thyroid.
They do this by blocking the action of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. Beta-blockers help manage a range of conditions by blocking beta receptors, which occur throughout the body. There are three types of beta receptor:. Beta-blockers can also be selective or non-selective. Several factors can affect blood pressure readings, including eating, not eating, and diet. Learn what can affect them and how to take an accurate…. Blood pressure can be different in each arm.
While a slight difference can be fine, a greater difference may be a sign of a condition that needs…. It's known that Black Americans have higher rates of hypertension than other groups — but why? Learn the causes and ways to treat and prevent this…. High blood pressure is often associated with few or no symptoms. Many people have it for years without knowing it. Learn more. Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce high blood pressure and even lower your risk of hypertension in the future.
Learn how garlic and dark…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm. Bottom line Beta-blockers help to reduce the speed and force of your heartbeat while also lowering your blood pressure. What are beta-blockers prescribed for? What are the different types of beta-blockers? What are the side effects? Do beta-blockers interact with other medications?
Can you drink alcohol while taking beta-blockers? What information is important to share with your doctor? Is it safe to stop using beta-blockers? The bottom line. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Are There Natural Beta-Blockers? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.
0コメント