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Physicians underestimate the usefulness of beta-blocking medication in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and sudden cardiac death. Researchers reviewed the current literature to evaluate the use of beta-blocking drugs in treating high blood pressure and in managing patients with heart attacks. One study reported that 30% fewer male patients with high blood pressure died from heart attacks when taking beta-blocking drugs. Other studies have shown a 20%-40% reduction in death rates in patients given beta-blocking drugs after a heart attack, including diabetic patients. Beta-blockers shown to reduce the risk of death from heart attack are timolol, propranolol and metaprolol. Other studies have shown that beta-blockers also may play a role in preventing the formation of plaque deposits on vessel walls. Physicians are sometimes hesitant to prescribe beta-blockers because of side-effects, but the benefits far outweigh possible negative effects in patients at risk of sudden cardiac death.

Β Blockers have key role in reducing morbidity and mortality after infarction EDITOR--Freemantle et al show good evidence that long term Β blockade is an effective and well tolerated treatment [...]