More recent beta-blockers were designed to target only beta-1 receptors in the heart cells. Third-generation beta-blockers have additional effects that help to further relax blood vessels and ease high blood pressure. Research into the use of third-generation beta-blockers is ongoing. Some studies suggest that these drugs may be a safe option for people with metabolic syndrome.
For example, according to a review of studies , nebivolol might be a suitable treatment option for people who have high blood pressure along with impaired sugar glucose and fat metabolism. A study on mice concluded that carvedilol boosted glucose tolerance and sensitivity to insulin. These are both key factors in diabetes. Additional research is needed to understand if carvedilol has the same effects in humans.
Beta-blockers are relatively effective, safe, and affordable. Seek medical attention right away if you experience any of the following side effects while taking beta-blockers:.
Both beta-blockers and alcohol can lower your blood pressure. Combining the two could cause your blood pressure to drop too quickly. This could leave you feeling weak, dizzy , or lightheaded. You might even faint if you stand up too fast. Of course, these side effects depend on both your prescribed dose of beta-blockers and how much you drink. You should also talk with your doctor if avoiding alcohol is difficult for you. Other medications may be available. They may pose a greater risk to people with the following conditions:.
If you have one of the medical conditions listed above, your doctor will probably consider other options before prescribing a beta-blocker. A person's arteries can become clogged when plaques build up inside them, reducing blood flow. Eating specific foods cannot cleanse plaques out of the…. A heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute.
This article looks at heart attack symptoms in different people, including females and older adults, as well as diagnosis, causes, treatment, and…. What you need to know about beta-blockers. How they work Uses Types and brands Side effects Cautions Interactions Stopping beta-blockers Summary Beta-blockers are drugs that can lower stress on the heart and blood vessels.
How they work. Types and brands. Side effects. Stopping beta-blockers. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. How do you lower your resting heart rate? Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, RN.
What is unstable angina, and what are its symptoms? Medically reviewed by Dr. Payal Kohli, M. Foods to cleanse the arteries. Page last reviewed: 16 July Next review due: 16 July Beta blockers. Beta blockers usually come as tablets. Commonly used beta blockers include: atenolol also called Tenormin bisoprolol also called Cardicor or Emcor carvedilol labetalol also called Trandate metoprolol also called Betaloc or Lopresor propranolol also called Inderal or Angilol sotalol Uses for beta blockers Beta blockers may be used to treat: angina — chest pain caused by narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart heart failure — failure of the heart to pump enough blood around the body atrial fibrillation — irregular heartbeat heart attack — an emergency where the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked high blood pressure — when other medicines have been tried, or in addition to other medicines Less commonly, beta blockers are used to prevent migraine or treat: an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism anxiety tremor glaucoma — as eyedrops There are several types of beta blocker, and each one has its own characteristics.
Who can take beta blockers Beta blockers are not suitable for everyone. To make sure they are safe for you, tell your doctor before starting a beta blocker if you have: had an allergic reaction to a beta blocker or any other medicine in the past low blood pressure or a slow heart rate serious blood circulation problems in your limbs such as Raynaud's phenomenon, which may make your fingers and toes tingle or turn pale or blue metabolic acidosis — when there's too much acid in your blood lung disease or asthma Tell your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding.
Cautions with other medicines There are some medicines that may interfere with the way that beta blockers, including beta blocker eyedrops, work. Tell your doctor if you're taking: other medicines for high blood pressure.
The combination with beta blockers can sometimes lower your blood pressure too much. This may make you feel dizzy or faint other medicines for an irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone or flecainide other medicines that can lower your blood pressure. These include some antidepressants, nitrates for chest pain , baclofen a muscle relaxant , medicines for an enlarged prostate gland like tamsulosin, or Parkinson's disease medicines such as levodopa medicines for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD medicines for diabetes, particularly insulin — beta blockers may make it more difficult to recognise the warning signs of low blood sugar medicines to treat nose or sinus congestion, or other cold remedies including those you can buy in the pharmacy medicines for allergies, such as ephedrine, noradrenaline or adrenaline non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen.
When we compared these results with our previous review of the blood pressure lowering effect of thiazide diuretics as second line drug, we found that beta-blockers have a different pattern of BP lowering. This different pattern of effect on blood pressure might explain why first-line beta-blockers appear to be less effective at reducing adverse cardiovascular outcomes than first-line thiazide diuretics, particularly in older individuals.
When the blood pressure lowering effect of beta-blockers from this review was compared to that of thiazide diuretics from our previous review Chen , second-line beta-blockers reduce systolic BP to the same extent as second-line thiazide diuretics, but reduce diastolic BP to a greater degree. The different effect on diastolic BP means that beta-blockers have little or no effect on pulse pressure whereas thiazides cause a significant dose-related decrease in pulse pressure.
This difference in the pattern of BP lowering with beta-blockers as compared to thiazides might be the explanation for the fact that beta-blockers appear to be less effective at reducing adverse cardiovascular outcomes than thiazide diuretics, particularly in older individuals.
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