Beta Blocker News and Research

RSS

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.

3D image of cell signaling molecules indicates a trippable power switch

A three-dimensional image of one of the proteins that serves as an on-off switch as it binds to receptors on the surface of a cell suggests there may be a sort of main power switch that could be tripped. These surface receptors are responsible for helping cells discern light, set the heart racing, or detect pain.

22 Apr 2013

New data on safety of nitrous oxide as surgical anesthetic

Giving nitrous oxide as part of general anesthesia for noncardiac surgery doesn't increase the rate of complications and death-and might even decrease the risk of such events, according to a pair of studies in the May issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

22 Apr 2013

New review of medications to prevent migraines appears in Journal of General Internal Medicine

Migraine headaches are a major cause of ill health and a reduced quality of life. Some individuals suffer from a frequent and severe migraine problem which means that they require regular medication to try and prevent them.

18 Apr 2013

Study finds no evidence that digoxin increases mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation

A study published today in the European Heart Journal found no evidence that digoxin increases mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation, the opposite of results just published by another group in the same journal analyzing the same data.

17 Apr 2013

L-carnitine improves cardiac health in patients after heart attack, say researchers

L-carnitine significantly improves cardiac health in patients after a heart attack, say a multicenter team of investigators in a study published today in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

15 Apr 2013

Researchers find association between melatonin, type 2 diabetes

With previous evidence suggesting that melatonin may have a role in glucose metabolism, researchers have found an independent association between decreased secretion of melatonin and an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes, according to a study in the April 3 issue of JAMA.

3 Apr 2013

Study: Heart failure medications highly cost effective in saving lives

A UCLA study shows that heart failure medications recommended by national guidelines are highly cost effective in saving lives and may also provide savings to the health care system.

29 Mar 2013

EDTA chelation, high-dose vitamins/minerals may provide additional benefit for MI patients

Heart attack patients given a combination of high-dose oral vitamins and minerals do not exhibit a significant reduction in recurrent cardiac events, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.

13 Mar 2013

Trial evaluates ranolazine in patients with diabetes, coronary artery disease and angina

A commonly used anti-anginal drug reduces chest pain in patients with type 2 diabetes and appears to have a more pronounced effect in those with poorer glucose control, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.

13 Mar 2013

Research: Digoxin reduces hospital admission of older, acute heart failure patients

Digoxin significantly reduces the likelihood of hospital admission due to all causes among ambulatory older patients with chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.

13 Mar 2013

Aliskiren and standard therapy not associated with reduced CV death or HF rehospitalization

Among patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; a measure of how well the left ventricle of the heart pumps with each contraction), initiation of the medication aliskiren in addition to standard therapy did not reduce cardiovascular death or HF rehospitalization at 6 or 12 months after discharge, according to a study published online by JAMA.

12 Mar 2013

African-American women with breast cancer more likely to develop heart failure

African-American women who survive breast cancer are more likely to develop heart failure than other women who have beaten the disease, according to research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.

8 Mar 2013

New Orleans residents continue to face increased risk of heart attack post-Katrina

New Orleans residents continue to face a three-fold increased risk of heart attack post-Katrina-a trend that has remained unchanged since the storm hit in 2005, according to research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.

7 Mar 2013

Morning, smooth ambulatory BP control ‘rarely achieved’ in general practice

Most patients receiving treatment for hypertension do not have their morning blood pressure levels controlled, and do not achieve smooth daytime control, researchers report.

18 Feb 2013

Arrhythmia may confound heart failure treatment

Meta-analysis findings question whether beta-blocker treatment remains effective in patients who have heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction if they also have atrial fibrillation.

11 Feb 2013

Scientists receive honorary doctorate for research on Alzheimer's disease

On Monday 4 February, Dennis J. Selkoe and five other "brain teasers" will receive an honorary doctorate from the KU Leuven. The promoters for this honorary doctorate - VIB-KU Leuven professors Bart De Strooper and Wim Robberecht - will honor Dennis J. Selkoe for his scientific insights, but also for his relentless search for new medicines to treat Alzheimer's Disease and other conditions that cause severe damage in the brain.

4 Feb 2013

Being married and cohabiting reduces risk of heart attack in both men and women in all age groups

A large population-based study from Finland has shown that being unmarried increases the risk of fatal and non-fatal heart attack in both men and women whatever their age. Conversely, say the study investigators, especially among middle-aged couples, being married and cohabiting are associated with "considerably better prognosis of acute cardiac events both before hospitalization and after reaching the hospital alive".

31 Jan 2013

ADRB receptors play a direct role in Src activation by PKA-mediated mechanism

Scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered the signaling pathway whereby a master regulator of cancer cell proteins - known as Src - leads to ovarian cancer progression when exposed to stress hormones. The researchers report in the current issue of Nature Communications that beta blocker drugs mitigate this effect and reduce cancer deaths by an average of 17 percent.

30 Jan 2013

Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol may reduce risk of heart attack or stroke in diabetics

For people with diabetes, meeting the recommended guidelines for blood pressure and cholesterol is even more important than meeting the guidelines for blood sugar control in reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study published today in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

29 Jan 2013

Emotional stress can reduce prostate cancer drugs’ effectiveness

Not surprisingly, a cancer diagnosis creates stress. And patients with prostate cancer show higher levels of anxiety compared to other cancer patients. A new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center indicates that stress is not just an emotional side effect of the diagnosis; it also can reduce the effectiveness of prostate cancer drugs and accelerate the development of prostate cancer.

29 Jan 2013

Beta Blocker News and Research

Further Reading

3D image of cell signaling molecules indicates a trippable power switch

New data on safety of nitrous oxide as surgical anesthetic

New review of medications to prevent migraines appears in Journal of General Internal Medicine

Study finds no evidence that digoxin increases mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation

L-carnitine improves cardiac health in patients after heart attack, say researchers

Researchers find association between melatonin, type 2 diabetes

Study: Heart failure medications highly cost effective in saving lives

EDTA chelation, high-dose vitamins/minerals may provide additional benefit for MI patients

Trial evaluates ranolazine in patients with diabetes, coronary artery disease and angina

Research: Digoxin reduces hospital admission of older, acute heart failure patients

Aliskiren and standard therapy not associated with reduced CV death or HF rehospitalization

African-American women with breast cancer more likely to develop heart failure

New Orleans residents continue to face increased risk of heart attack post-Katrina

Morning, smooth ambulatory BP control ‘rarely achieved’ in general practice

Arrhythmia may confound heart failure treatment

Scientists receive honorary doctorate for research on Alzheimer's disease

Being married and cohabiting reduces risk of heart attack in both men and women in all age groups

ADRB receptors play a direct role in Src activation by PKA-mediated mechanism

Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol may reduce risk of heart attack or stroke in diabetics

Emotional stress can reduce prostate cancer drugs’ effectiveness

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

Latest News