Beta Blockers for Heart Problems
What is a beta blocker?
A beta blocker is a medicine used
to treat high blood pressure and heart problems. Some beta
blockers are atenolol (brand name: Tenormin), metoprolol
(brand names: Lopressor, Toprol XL) and propranolol (brand
name: Inderal). A beta blocker blocks the harmful effects of
stress hormones on your heart. This medicine also slows your
heart rate. Beta blockers can also be used to prevent migraine
headaches in people who get them frequently.
What kinds of heart problems are treated
with a beta blocker?
A beta blocker is often used to
treat high blood pressure or an irregular heart beat. This
medicine can also be used to treat congestive heart failure,
but people with severe heart failure may not be able to take a
beta blocker. A beta blocker reduces the risk of another heart
attack for people who have already had one.
What are some of the possible side effects
of beta blockers?
Most people who take beta
blockers do well and have no side effects. But because beta
blockers slow your heart, they may make you feel tired. You
also may notice that you can't exercise as hard as you used
to. For example, you may get out of breath when you take a
walk or climb stairs. Some men can have trouble with erections
when they take beta blockers. Talk to your doctor if you have
these problems after you start taking a beta blocker.
The beta blocker may make you
feel a little dizzy or lightheaded. Because this might happen
to you, you shouldn't drive a car or operate dangerous
machines until you know if your beta blocker is going to make
you feel dizzy. The dizziness usually goes away after you have
been taking the medicine for a few days. If you keep feeling
dizzy or lightheaded after a few days, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor right away if
you have trouble breathing when you're taking a beta blocker.
You should also call your doctor if you gain weight for an
unknown reason. Tell your doctor if you have fluid retention
(if your hands, feet or legs start swelling). Call your doctor
right away if you have chest pain or a very slow heartbeat
(less than 50 heartbeats per minute).
Can I take a beta blocker if I have
diabetes?
Yes, you can
take a beta blocker if you have diabetes. But a beta blocker
may hide some of the warning signs of low blood sugar. For
example, when you take a beta blocker, your heart rate may not
increase in response to a low blood sugar level. You will need
to check your blood sugar levels carefully after you start
taking a beta blocker. If you have low blood sugar often, your
doctor may want to change the dosages of your diabetes
medicine.
Can I take a beta blocker if I have asthma
or chronic lung disease?
Beta blockers are generally not
used in people with asthma. A beta blocker can cause asthma
attacks.
Sometimes people with a chronic
lung disease such as emphysema or bronchitis can take beta
blockers. If you have lung disease and are taking a beta
blocker, call your doctor right away if you start having
breathing problems.
What about other medicines?
Taking other medicines -- even medicines
that don't require a prescription -- while you're taking a
beta blocker can cause serious problems. Tell your doctor
about any other medicines that you take, and check with him or
her before starting any new medications.
What is the best way to take beta
blockers?
You should take your beta blocker
exactly as your doctor tells you. Beta blockers are usually
taken once or twice a day. Try to take the medicine at the
same time every day. Do not stop taking your beta blocker
without talking to your doctor first.
If you forget to take a dose and
it has been a few hours or less since you missed the dose,
take your beta blocker as soon as you remember. But if it has
been 4 to 6 hours or longer since you missed the dose, don't
take the dose you missed. Instead, wait and take the next
regular dose. Never take a double dose to catch up.
Source
Optimizing Beta-Blocker Use
After Myocardial Infarction (American Family
Physician October 15, 2000, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001015/1853.html)
