Beta-blockers for fast heart rates
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Examples
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Sectral | acebutolol |
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Tenormin | atenolol |
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Brevibloc | esmolol |
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Toprol XL | metoprolol |
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Corgard | nadolol |
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Inderal | propranolol |
How It Works
Beta-blockers help slow the heart rate by blocking the effect of the hormone adrenaline. This reduces the number of electrical impulses that pass through the atrioventricular (AV) node to the lower heart chambers (ventricles).
Why It Is Used
Beta-blockers are used to help control the heart rate and prevent episodes of supraventricular tachycardia.. They are also used to treat high blood pressure and angina (chest pain).
How Well It Works
Beta-blockers are very effective at slowing the heart rate. Some of the medicines have also been shown to be helpful for people with coronary artery disease or heart failure.
Side Effects
Side effects of beta-blockers include:
- Fatigue.
- Dizziness.
- Cold arms, hands, legs, or feet due to poor blood flow to these areas.
- Lack of awareness of severe low blood sugar levels in people with diabetes who take insulin or oral hypoglycemics.
- Slow heart rate.
- Shortness of breath.
- Wheezing in people with asthma.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Beta-blockers can sometimes slow down the heart rate too much. Close monitoring during treatment is important, although most people do not have serious side effects from this medicine.
Some of these medicines may make symptoms worse in people who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart failure with a lot of excess fluid build-up.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
| Last Updated | September 17, 2008 |
| Last updated: | September 17, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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