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Health Library Beta-Blockers for Fast Heart RatesFrom Healthwise

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Beta-Blockers for Fast Heart Rates

Examples

Generic NameBrand Name
acebutololSectral
atenololTenormin
esmololBrevibloc
Generic NameBrand Name
metoprololLopressor, Toprol
Generic NameBrand Name
nadololCorgard
propranololInderal

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.1 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.

References

Citations

  1. Drugs for cardiac arrhythmias (2007). Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 5(58): 51–58.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerJohn M. Miller, MD - Electrophysiology
Last RevisedAugust 9, 2010

Last Revised: August 9, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & John M. Miller, MD - Electrophysiology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

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