Examples

Beta-blockers for mitral valve prolapse are normally taken once or twice each day to decrease the frequency of irregular heartbeats, chest pain, or anxiety related to the abnormal beats. Beta-blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure.

How It Works

Beta-blockers interrupt the normal chemical signals transmitted by nerves that stimulate, and sometimes overstimulate, the pacing of the heart. They slow down the heartbeat and reduce blood pressure.

Why It Is Used

Beta-blockers are used to relieve symptoms of palpitations, chest pain, or anxiety that are not relieved by changes in diet, lifestyle, and exercise. Beta-blockers do not improve the functioning of the mitral valve.

How Well It Works

• Beta-blockers prevent or inhibit several specific types of irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
• Beta-blockers relieve chest discomfort, especially in people who have rapid resting heart rates.

Side Effects

Because they lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate, beta-blockers may cause lightheadedness, decreased energy, fatigue, and depression. People with diabetes may have an increase in their blood glucose while taking beta-blockers.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

The doctor may want to perform 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) monitoring (called Holter monitoring) before prescribing a beta-blocker or another medication (antiarrhythmics medications) to prevent or inhibit irregular heart rhythms. A 24-hour EKG is done to confirm that the palpitations are associated with irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

People should not stop taking or skip doses of beta-blockers without their doctor's advice. Stopping these medications without tapering them off may cause a rise in blood pressure and heart rate and an increase in symptoms.

These medications also may be used to lower blood pressure and control chest pain (angina) due to coronary artery disease.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.