Beta Blocker News and Research

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Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents (beta-blockers) are drugs with multiple actions on the heart. Blockade of beta-1 receptors results in slowing of heart rate, reduction in myocardial contractility, and lowering of systemic blood pressure. In the context of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), which represents a state of reduced oxygen supply to the affected portion of the heart, these effects may be beneficial as they result in reduced myocardial workload and oxygen demand. Furthermore, beta-blockers may reduce the risk of ventricular arrhythmias, which are an important cause of death following AMI.

Beta-blocker therapy controls heart rate, improves cardiovascular performance in septic shock patients

Andrea Morelli, M.D., of the University of Rome, Italy, and colleagues conducted a study to investigate the effect of the short-acting beta-blocker esmolol on the heart rate of patients with severe septic shock and high risk of death.

10 Oct 2013

Personalised therapy can reduce risk of cardiac disease among diabetes patients

600,000 to 800,000 Austrians suffer from diabetes mellitus. Thanks to the biomarker known as NT-proBNP (a hormone specific to the heart), the sub-group of people who are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease can be determined even though their hearts appear to be healthy.

8 Oct 2013

Researchers develop new variety of corked microbottle for drugs

Sustained-release formulations that release drugs over longer periods of time are not the final step in the evolution of “intelligent” drug delivery systems. Modern pharmaceuticals are being designed to be released only in a specific, diseased organ; on cues from our circadian rhythm; or under specific physiological conditions.

17 Sep 2013

Research shows smoking and obesity together may pose triple health threat

Millions of people who are obese and smoke tobacco may face additional health problems — including their responses to common prescription medicines — that extend beyond the well-known links with cancer, heart attacks and stroke, according to a report presented here today.

12 Sep 2013

Common blood pressure drug reduces fatal cardiac problem in patients with Marfan syndrome

A common drug that is used to treat high blood pressure in the general population has been found to significantly reduce a dangerous and frequently fatal cardiac problem in patients with Marfan syndrome.

2 Sep 2013

Loyola's success in implementing standard of care for heart attack patients recognized by AHA

Loyola University Medical Center has received the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award, which recognizes Loyola's commitment and success in implementing an exceptional standard of care for heart attack patients.

29 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Obama overlooking legal constraints on employer mandate delay; Bush's 'unnecessary' heart procedure; discrimination against people with mental illnesses

In his Friday remarks, Mr. Obama also claimed that he had the "executive authority" for the mandate delay. But if he really believes that, then why did he say he would normally ask for a legislative "tweak." Either the fix requires legislation or it doesn't. His comments are certainly revealing about his attitudes on Presidential power and the constraints of the U.S. Constitution. Article II, Section 3 instructs him to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, not merely what he thinks is "the essence" of laws (8/10).

13 Aug 2013

Study observes that long-term use of antihypertensive drugs associated with breast cancer risk

Older women who take certain types of medication to combat high blood pressure may be putting themselves at greater risk for developing breast cancer, according to a new study by a team of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientists led by Christopher Li, M.D., Ph.D.

6 Aug 2013

Prolonged use of calcium-channel blocker to treat BP linked with high breast cancer risk

Long-term use of a calcium-channel blocker to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) is associated with higher breast cancer risk, according to a report published by JAMA Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.

6 Aug 2013

Nerves play critical role in development and spread of prostate tumors, say researchers

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have found that nerves play a critical role in both the development and spread of prostate tumors. Their findings, using both a mouse model and human prostate tissue, may lead to new ways to predict the aggressiveness of prostate cancer and to novel therapies for preventing and treating the disease. The study published online today in the July 12 edition of Science.

12 Jul 2013

Longer prescriptions after leaving hospital associated with long-term adherence in cardiac patients

Elderly cardiac patients prescribed heart medications for 60 days or more after leaving hospital have four times the odds of adhering to the drug regime than patients prescribed the same medications for 30 days, according to research conducted at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and Women's College Hospital.

29 Jun 2013

Too much sugar can lead to heart failure, shows study

Too much sugar can set people down a pathway to heart failure, according to a study led by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

15 Jun 2013

New survey data reveal need for specialist nurse support in management of patients with heart failure

One year after the publication of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure 2012, awareness amongst UK healthcare professionals varies dramatically.

6 Jun 2013

Poor sleep may be most harmful to women with coronary heart disease, study finds

Many women get too little sleep, despite considerable evidence showing the importance of sleep to overall health. Now a new UC San Francisco study has discovered another reason why inadequate sleep may be harmful, especially to women and their hearts.

5 Jun 2013

Coenzyme Q10 decreases all cause mortality by half in randomized double blind trial

Coenzyme Q10 decreases all cause mortality by half, according to the results of a multicentre randomised double blind trial presented today at Heart Failure 2013 congress.

27 May 2013

UCLA researchers find decrease in overall mortality rates for advanced heart failure

UCLA researchers examining outcomes for advanced heart-failure patients over the past two decades have found that, coinciding with the increased availability and use of new therapies, overall mortality has decreased and sudden cardiac death, caused by the rapid onset of severe abnormal heart rhythms, has declined.

24 May 2013

New rationale for treating patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension

New data from clinical studies presented for the first time at the International Liver Congress- 2013 provide new rationale for an old and established treatment option for portal hypertension.

26 Apr 2013

Cardiac risk patients treated with beta-blockers have lower rates of mortality

Patients at elevated cardiac risk who were treated with beta-blockers on the day of or following noncardiac, nonvascular surgery had significantly lower rates of 30-day mortality and cardiac illness, according to a study in the April 24 issue of JAMA.

25 Apr 2013

Beta blockade aids select surgery patients

Research supports the use of perioperative beta blockade in patients with cardiovascular risk factors undergoing nonvascular procedures, finding this treatment to significantly improve short-term survival.