Beta blockers slow your heart rate and relieve pressure on your heart. Beta blockers may be used to treat congestive heart failure. They can reduce the risk of future heart attacks for people who have had one. Some people who have severe heart failure may not be able to take beta blockers.
Other uses of the medicine include treatment of migraine headaches and glaucoma. You should take beta blockers exactly as your doctor tells you. Beta blockers often are taken 1 to 2 times a day.
Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Do not stop taking beta blockers without talking to your doctor first. If you missed a dose and realize it a few hours later, take the medicine right away. If it has been more than 4 to 6 hours, do not take the dose you missed. Instead, wait to take the next scheduled dose. Never take a double dose to catch up. People who have certain health conditions need to be careful taking beta blockers. If you have diabetes, the medicine can hide warning signs of low blood sugar.
For example, your heart rate may not increase normally in response to a low blood sugar level. You will need to check your blood sugar levels carefully when taking a beta blocker. Talk to your doctor if you often have low blood sugar. He or she may want to change the dosage of your diabetes medicine.
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How they work Benefits Side effects and risks Taking your medication Beta-blockers Beta-blockers are a class of medication used to block the effects of stress hormones such as adrenaline on the heart. How beta-blockers work. The benefits of beta-blockers. Side effects and risks of beta-blockers. Taking your medication. Read this next. You can report suspected side effects using the Yellow Card Scheme.
For more information on the side effects of beta blockers, read about the specific medicine you take in our Medicines A to Z.
Most beta blockers are taken once a day, apart from certain beta blockers that are used during pregnancy and Sotalol, which is given 2 or 3 times a day. If you forget to take a dose of your beta blocker, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.
You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. An overdose of beta blockers can slow down your heart rate and make it difficult to breathe.
It can also cause dizziness and trembling. Again, tell your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
If you stop taking your medicine without checking with your doctor, it can make your condition worse.
A consumer-based site by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists that provides information about all types of medicines as well as safety tips for their proper use. The information in this Medicines for Cardiovascular Disease section has been taken from a number of sources. It is meant to give you information about certain medicines, but it does not cover all of the possible uses, warnings, side effects, or interactions with other medicines and vitamin or herbal supplements.
This information should not be used as medical advice for individual problems. Visit U. Beta-Blockers Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure hypertension , congestive heart failure CHF , abnormal heart rhythms arrhythmias , and chest pain angina. Why do I need to take a beta-blocker? How do beta-blockers work? This slows the nerve impulses that travel through the heart. As a result, your heart does not have to work as hard because it needs less blood and oxygen.
Beta-blockers also block the impulses that can cause an arrhythmia. Your body has 2 main beta receptors: beta 1 and beta 2. Some beta-blockers are selective , which means that they block beta 1 receptors more than they block beta 2 receptors. Beta 1 receptors are responsible for heart rate and the strength of your heartbeat. Nonselective beta-blockers block both beta 1 and beta 2 receptors. Beta 2 receptors are responsible for the function of your smooth muscles muscles that control body functions but that you do not have control over.
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