Examples
|
| Zebeta | bisoprolol |
| Coreg | carvedilol |
| Lopressor | metoprolol |
How It Works
Beta-blockers are a class of drugs used
to control symptoms of
that are made worse by certain hormones
called
. The body releases these hormones as
part of its
response to heart failure. For this and other reasons,
beta-blockers have been shown to be effective for treating most people who have
heart failure.
Beta-blockers have a variety of effects throughout
the body. They are used to treat heart disease that causes chest pain, high
blood pressure,
, and
cardiomyopathy and irregular, rapid heartbeats
(arrhythmia). Beta-blockers are also used to prevent migraine headaches, treat
tremors, and control anxiety.
- Beta-blockers may work by slowing the heart rate, which allows
the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber of the heart) to fill more
completely.
- Some of these medicines may also help open or widen blood vessels
in the body. This makes them especially useful in some people with certain
forms of heart failure who may also have high blood pressure.
Bisoprolol, carvedilol, and metoprolol are some of the
beta-blockers that have been tested for use in the treatment of heart
failure.
Why It Is Used
Beta-blockers may be used to treat left ventricular systolic dysfunction
in people who are stable and have no symptoms or only mild to moderate heart
failure symptoms. Beta-blockers may be used together with other medicines
that are usually used to treat heart failure, such as angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or diuretics.
Beta-blockers can slow the
progression of
systolic forms of heart failure in many people.
Beta-blockers also decrease the
heart rate, which gives the heart more time to relax between beats. This allows
the left ventricle to fill more completely and increases the volume of blood
that the heart pumps with each heartbeat (ejection fraction).
How Well It Works
Certain beta-blockers have been
shown to:
- Improve the percentage of blood pumped from the left ventricle
with each heartbeat (ejection fraction).
- Reduce the need for hospital stays.
- Slow the progression of heart failure.
- Reduce the risk of death caused by heart attack and heart
failure.
Beta-blockers are one of four medicines recommended for use
in most people who have systolic heart failure. Others include diuretics, ACE
inhibitors, and sometimes digoxin.
Side Effects
Beta-blockers may sometimes cause a drop
in blood pressure when a person stands up (orthostatic hypotension), resulting
in dizziness and, rarely, fainting.