Health Library Beta-Blockers for Mitral Valve ProlapseFrom Healthwise

Beta-blockers for mitral valve prolapse are normally taken once or twice a day to decrease the frequency of irregular heartbeats, chest pain, or anxiety related to the abnormal beats. Beta-blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure.

Beta-blockers interrupt the normal chemical signals transmitted by nerves that stimulate, and sometimes overstimulate, the pacing of the heart. They slow down the heartbeat and reduce blood pressure.

Beta-blockers are used to relieve symptoms of palpitations, chest pain, or anxiety that are not relieved by changes in diet, lifestyle, and exercise. Beta-blockers do not improve the functioning of the mitral valve.

• Beta-blockers prevent or inhibit several specific types of irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
• Beta-blockers relieve chest discomfort, especially in people who have rapid resting heart rates.

Beta-blockers lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate, so they may cause lightheadedness, decreased energy, and fatigue. People with diabetes may have an increase in their blood glucose while taking beta-blockers.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

The doctor may want to perform 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) monitoring (called Holter monitoring) before prescribing a beta-blocker or another medicine (antiarrhythmics medicines) to prevent or inhibit irregular heart rhythms. A 24-hour EKG is done to confirm that the palpitations are associated with irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

People should not stop taking or skip doses of beta-blockers without their doctor's advice. Stopping these medicines without tapering them off may cause a rise in blood pressure and heart rate and an increase in symptoms.

These medicines also may be used to lower blood pressure and control chest pain (angina) due to coronary artery disease.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: February 9, 2009
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine George Philippides, MD - 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.