Health Library Beta-Blockers for Fast Heart RatesFrom Healthwise

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).

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).

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 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.)

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.

Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: September 17, 2008
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
© 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise 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.