Beta blockers are a class of medicines used to treat a variety of conditions, most commonly related to the heart and blood vessels. They are prescribed for several cardiovascular issues as well as a few non-cardiovascular conditions. What beta blockers are commonly prescribed for
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Chronic heart failure
- Ischemic heart disease (e.g., angina)
- Heart rhythm problems, such as atrial fibrillation or other tachyarrhythmias
- After a heart attack (myocardial infarction) to reduce mortality and prevent further events
- Certain tremors and types of anxiety or performance anxiety in some cases
- Thyrotoxicosis (excess thyroid hormone effects) in some situations
- Glaucoma when used as eye drops
Commonly used beta blockers (examples)
- Cardiovascular agents: metoprolol, atenolol, bisoprolol, propranolol, nadolol, carvedilol, labetalol
- Some are cardio-selective (preferentially affecting the heart): metoprolol, atenolol, bisoprolol
- Non-selective types affect other organs more broadly: propranolol, nadolol
- Some have additional properties (e.g., carvedilol and labetalol also block alpha receptors and may provide more blood-pressure lowering in certain patients)
Important considerations
- They are prescription-only medicines and require a clinician’s assessment to choose the right agent and dose.
- Dosages and specific beta blocker selection depend on the condition being treated, other medical problems, and potential interactions with other medications.
- Possible side effects include fatigue, slowed heart rate (bradycardia), cold hands/feet, and in some cases bronchospasm (especially with non-selective agents in people with asthma or COPD).
- Abruptly stopping a beta blocker can be dangerous in people with heart disease; usually a gradual taper is recommended under medical supervision.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific condition (e.g., hypertension vs. heart failure) and list commonly used agents with typical dosing ranges, plus potential interactions to watch for.
