Are Popular Blood Pressure Medications Safe?
Last year, a large study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggested doctors should consider beta blockers as second line treatment for blood pressure management. Beta blockers, known by brand names such as Atenolol, Bisoprolol and Propranolol, were once the cornerstone of blood pressure treatment, but recent research suggests they cause too many side effects and that other, newer, blood pressure medicines may be more effective and better tolerated. We asked Dr. Joseph Kannam of The CardioVascular Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to answer common questions about the impact of this study on people with high blood pressure. What are beta blockers?
Beta blockers have been commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure since the 1970s. In fact, some 75 million prescriptions were reportedly written for beta blockers in the first half of this year alone. Beta blockers work by decreasing the heart rate and the heart’s output of blood. This will lower the blood pressure. They should not be used if you have a slow heart rate, heart block or shock. Also, the elderly, pregnant women and those who have kidney or liver problems, asthma, diabetes or overactive thyroid should talk to their doctor about the specific risks of using beta blockers.
What is the new controversy around beta blockers?
Doctors have long been taught that beta blockers (along with diuretics) should be the first line medicines for treating hypertension because they’re effective and they’re cheap. It turns out the beta blockers do have a number of side effects that patients have been putting up with when they don’t need to. So while their effect on blood pressure has been good, there are newer agents such as ace inhibitors or calcium channel blockers that tend to be even more effective with fewer side effects. Also, a number of those newer agents are becoming available as generic medications, so cost won’t be as much of an issue as it used to be.
What have been the reported side effects of beta blockers?
Beta blockers can cause fatigue, depression, trouble sleeping, cramping in the legs, sexual dysfunction and could worsen asthma in some patients.
Is it dangerous to be on a beta blocker?
While The Blood Pressure Association in Britain says beta blockers pose no immediate risk to you health, side effects of any medication should be evaluated by a doctor.
If I’m on a beta blocker, should I stop taking it?
You should never stop taking any of your blood pressure medicines without first consulting a doctor.
In my own practice, if someone is on a beta blocker and the medicine is controlling their blood pressure well and they are not having side effects, I don’t make any changes. However, if I have a new patient coming in with hypertension, I’m not reaching for the beta blocker first, unless they have another reason to be on one. That may include patients who have palpitations where a beta blocker may help, or if they’ve had a recent, significant heart attack, or those with heart failure. But if you have a run-of-the-mill hypertensive patient who is otherwise healthy, we don’t generally start with beta blockers.
What should I do if I’m concerned?
If you are concerned about side effects or have any questions about beta blockers, you should speak to your physician. He or she will help decide if beta blockers are right for you, or if another blood pressure lowering agent may be an option.
Above content provided by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
For advice about your medical care, consult your doctor.
Posted January 2009
Beta blockers have been commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure since the 1970s. In fact, some 75 million prescriptions were reportedly written for beta blockers in the first half of this year alone. Beta blockers work by decreasing the heart rate and the heart’s output of blood. This will lower the blood pressure. They should not be used if you have a slow heart rate, heart block or shock. Also, the elderly, pregnant women and those who have kidney or liver problems, asthma, diabetes or overactive thyroid should talk to their doctor about the specific risks of using beta blockers.
What is the new controversy around beta blockers?
Doctors have long been taught that beta blockers (along with diuretics) should be the first line medicines for treating hypertension because they’re effective and they’re cheap. It turns out the beta blockers do have a number of side effects that patients have been putting up with when they don’t need to. So while their effect on blood pressure has been good, there are newer agents such as ace inhibitors or calcium channel blockers that tend to be even more effective with fewer side effects. Also, a number of those newer agents are becoming available as generic medications, so cost won’t be as much of an issue as it used to be.
What have been the reported side effects of beta blockers?
Beta blockers can cause fatigue, depression, trouble sleeping, cramping in the legs, sexual dysfunction and could worsen asthma in some patients.
Is it dangerous to be on a beta blocker?
While The Blood Pressure Association in Britain says beta blockers pose no immediate risk to you health, side effects of any medication should be evaluated by a doctor.
If I’m on a beta blocker, should I stop taking it?
You should never stop taking any of your blood pressure medicines without first consulting a doctor.
In my own practice, if someone is on a beta blocker and the medicine is controlling their blood pressure well and they are not having side effects, I don’t make any changes. However, if I have a new patient coming in with hypertension, I’m not reaching for the beta blocker first, unless they have another reason to be on one. That may include patients who have palpitations where a beta blocker may help, or if they’ve had a recent, significant heart attack, or those with heart failure. But if you have a run-of-the-mill hypertensive patient who is otherwise healthy, we don’t generally start with beta blockers.
What should I do if I’m concerned?
If you are concerned about side effects or have any questions about beta blockers, you should speak to your physician. He or she will help decide if beta blockers are right for you, or if another blood pressure lowering agent may be an option.
Above content provided by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
For advice about your medical care, consult your doctor.
Posted January 2009
