Beta blockers why used

An overdose of beta blockers can slow down your heart rate and make it difficult to breathe. It can also cause dizziness and trembling. The amount of beta blocker that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person. Page last reviewed: 16 July Next review due: 16 July Beta blockers. Beta blockers usually come as tablets. Commonly used beta blockers include: atenolol also called Tenormin bisoprolol also called Cardicor or Emcor carvedilol labetalol also called Trandate metoprolol also called Betaloc or Lopresor propranolol also called Inderal or Angilol sotalol Uses for beta blockers Beta blockers may be used to treat: angina — chest pain caused by narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart heart failure — failure of the heart to pump enough blood around the body atrial fibrillation — irregular heartbeat heart attack — an emergency where the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked high blood pressure — when other medicines have been tried, or in addition to other medicines Less commonly, beta blockers are used to prevent migraine or treat: an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism anxiety tremor glaucoma — as eyedrops There are several types of beta blocker, and each one has its own characteristics.

Who can take beta blockers Beta blockers are not suitable for everyone. To make sure they are safe for you, tell your doctor before starting a beta blocker if you have: had an allergic reaction to a beta blocker or any other medicine in the past low blood pressure or a slow heart rate serious blood circulation problems in your limbs such as Raynaud's phenomenon, which may make your fingers and toes tingle or turn pale or blue metabolic acidosis — when there's too much acid in your blood lung disease or asthma Tell your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding.

Cautions with other medicines There are some medicines that may interfere with the way that beta blockers, including beta blocker eyedrops, work. Tell your doctor if you're taking: other medicines for high blood pressure. Glaucoma is a condition in which pressure grows within the eye due to a buildup of fluid. It is a common cause of vision loss among older adults. Doctors often prescribe eye drops containing beta-blockers to lower the production of this fluid and reduce pressure within the eye.

Beta-blockers block the effects of stress hormones. As a result, they can also reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety , such as trembling and sweating. Although they do not have approval from the Food and Drug Administration FDA for treating anxiety, doctors may prescribe them off-label for this purpose. However, beta-blockers cannot treat anxiety itself. Other treatments, such as counseling, can help address the underlying causes of anxiety.

Beta-blockers can reduce symptoms such as tremor and a rapid heart rate in people with an overactive thyroid. They do this by blocking the action of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. Beta-blockers help manage a range of conditions by blocking beta receptors, which occur throughout the body. There are three types of beta receptor:. Beta-blockers can also be selective or non-selective.

Selective beta-blockers mostly target the heart, while non-selective ones manage symptoms in other parts of the body. Here are some common types and brands of beta-blockers:.

Beta-blockers affect receptors throughout the body and can have a range of side effects , including:. There is also a risk of heart block , especially in people with heart disease. People should advise their doctor if they have a history of any of the following before taking beta-blockers:. Those who have a heart condition or chest pain and a history of cocaine use should talk with their doctor before using beta-blockers.

This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Beta blockers. Products and services. Beta blockers These drugs are often used to treat high blood pressure when other medications haven't worked. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Types of blood pressure medications.

American Heart Association. Accessed July 14, Argulian E, et al. Misconceptions and facts about beta-blockers. The American Journal of Medicine.

Whelton PK, et al. Mann JFE. Choice of drug therapy in primary essential hypertension. Accessed June 28, Sidawy AN, et al. Atherosclerotic risk factors: Hypertension. Philadelphia, Pa. Bloch MJ, et al. Antihypertensive drugs and lipids. See also Medication-free hypertension control 6 surprising signs you may have obstructive sleep apnea After a flood, are food and medicines safe to use? Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?

Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise? Some beta-blockers only work on the heart itself, while others affect the heart and blood vessels. Your doctor may prescribe beta-blockers even if you have few symptoms of heart problems or heart failure. Beta-blockers have been shown to have some health benefits outside of helping the heart. For example, they protect bones by preventing the kidneys from excreting calcium into urine. These drugs block stress hormones that could otherwise cause bone thinning over time.

Stronger bones just may be an extra benefit of taking these medications. If you know that an overdose has occurred, call your doctor or local poison control center. The U.

National Poison Control Center phone number is Some of the older beta-blockers — such as atenolol and metoprolol — have been reported to cause an average weight gain of 2. Fluid retention and accompanying weight gain can be signs that you have heart failure or that your heart failure is getting worse. Be sure to let your doctor know if you gain more than 2 to 3 pounds within a day, gain more than 5 pounds within a week, or your symptoms worsen. You also may notice some changes in the way your heart works during day-to-day life.

For example, beta-blockers prevent spikes in heart rate.