Beta-blockers and coronary artery disease - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

By Brooke Barnett, Contributing Writer, myOptumHealth

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Beta-blockers are an important tool in the fight against heart disease, the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S.

Your doctor may prescribe this medicine to help lower blood pressure and reduce the workload on your heart. He or she may also suggest lifestyle changes or medical procedures. Together, these treatments can help lower your risk of a heart attack.

Easing the workload

Most of the time, your cardiovascular system does its work behind the scenes. Your heart pumps, and blood flows without you having to do anything. These processes are run by an involuntary network of nerves called the sympathetic system.

When we come under stress - emotional or physical - hormones stimulate the cells of this system. This causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to rise.

Beta-blockers are a class of medications that interfere with these hormones. This relaxes blood vessels and slows heart rate. In turn, blood pressure goes down and blood flow to the heart improves.

Taking a beta-blocker can lower the risk of a heart attack and death. Beta-blockers are especially helpful in preventing a second heart attack and death in someone who has already had a heart attack.

In addition to treating coronary artery disease (CAD), beta-blockers can be used to treat:

• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Migraine headaches
• Glaucoma
• Angina, which is chest pain from low blood flow to the heart muscle

Side effects of beta-blockers may include dizziness, feeling tired and erection problems in men. Taking them may make exercise or physical exertion seem more difficult. Check with your doctor about a safe activity level if you are on beta-blockers.

Take action

Depending on your condition, your doctor may suggest that you try to modify your lifestyle to improve your heart health before starting medication.

Here are some important steps you can take to support a healthy heart:

• Make heart-wise food choices. Eat a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Get plenty of fruits and vegetables, and eat fish twice a week. If you have high blood pressure, try to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet.
• Talk with your doctor about a healthy exercise plan. Physical activity can help boost energy, lower cholesterol, manage weight and relieve stress.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese puts an added strain on your heart. Talk with your doctor about what your weight goal should be.
• Don't use tobacco. Smoking raises your risk of heart problems. If you use tobacco, talk with your doctor about strategies and support to help you quit.
• Find ways to manage stress. Uncontrolled anger can help trigger a heart attack. Try to develop healthy ways to relax, such as stretching, exercise or deep breathing. Talk to your doctor about what activity level is right for you. Avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drinking or overeating.

Even if you are already taking a beta-blocker, healthy lifestyle changes can help cut the risk of a heart attack and other complications from CAD.

View the original Beta-blockers and coronary artery disease article on myOptumHealth.com 

SOURCES:

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consumer Health Information. Medications for high blood pressure. Accessed: 10/15/2009

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease is the number one cause of death. Accessed: 10/15/2009

• Morrow DA, Gersh BJ. Stable angina pectoris. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2007.

• National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. How is coronary artery disease treated? Accessed: 10/15/2009

• Frishman WH. Beta-adrenergic blockers. Circulation. 2003;107(18):e117-e119.