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.

Skin cells transformed into heart cells for research into cardiomyopathy

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28 Jan 2013

Behavioral stress accelerates prostate cancer development in mice

Prostate cancer patients have increased levels of stress and anxiety; however, several recent studies have found that men who take drugs that interfere with the stress hormone adrenaline have a lower incidence of prostate cancer.

28 Jan 2013

Health Canada approves Forest Laboratories’ BYSTOLIC to treat hypertension

Forest Laboratories, Inc. announced today that its Canadian subsidiary, Forest Laboratories Canada Inc. has received a Notice of Compliance from Health Canada for BYSTOLIC (nebivolol) tablets, a once daily beta blocker for the treatment of hypertension.

18 Jan 2013

Beta blocker use linked to NSCLC patient survival

Beta blockers may boost survival in patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer, suggests research published in the Annals of Oncology.

14 Jan 2013

Beta blockers can reduce risk of Alzheimer's, other types of dementia

People taking the blood pressure drugs called beta blockers may be less likely to have changes in the brain that can be signs of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16 to 23, 2013.

9 Jan 2013

Survey reveals significant improvement in delivery of underused care

An analysis of nationally representative survey data found significant improvement in the delivery of underused care, but more limited changes in the reduction of inappropriate care in ambulatory health care settings between 1998 and 2009, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.

25 Dec 2012

Exercise clue to long QT syndrome prognosis

The size of reduction in heart rate immediately after exercise is associated with the presence of arrhythmias in patients with long QT syndrome type 1, report researchers.

18 Dec 2012

Alpha arrestins may play a role in cell signaling that is crucial to new drug development

A newly found understanding of receptor signaling may have revealed a better way to design drugs. A study from Nationwide Children's Hospital suggests that a newly identified group of proteins, alpha arrestins, may play a role in cell signaling that is crucial to new drug development.

11 Dec 2012

Heart-healthy diet may reduce recurrent stroke, MI risk

Eating a “heart-healthy” diet may lower the risk for recurrent cardiovascular disease events in middle-aged individuals with a history of such conditions, researchers report.

10 Dec 2012

Healthy eating prevents second heart attack, stroke or death in people with CVD

A heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish significantly reduces the chance of a second heart attack and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease, McMaster University researchers have found.

4 Dec 2012

Bleeding risk modifies perioperative beta-blocker benefits

Perioperative use of beta blockers seems to be beneficial unless patients experience heavy bleeding, in which case it may be detrimental, say researchers.

28 Nov 2012

Digoxin for atrial fibrillation questioned

Experts are calling into question the widespread use of digoxin for atrial fibrillation, in the wake of findings linking the drug to increased mortality.

28 Nov 2012

Digoxin increases risk of death in patients with atrial fibrillation

Digoxin, a drug widely used to treat heart disease, increases the possibility of death when used by patients with a common heart rhythm problem − atrial fibrillation (AF), according to new study findings by University of Kentucky researchers. The results have been published in the prestigious European Heart Journal, and raises serious concerns about the expansive use of this long-standing heart medication in patients with AF.

28 Nov 2012

Gender gap in myocardial infarction mortality

Women are more likely to die from a myocardial infarction than men, according to research presented at the Acute Cardiac Care Congress 2012. The gender gap in mortality was independent of patient characteristics, revascularisation delays and revascularisation modalities.

20 Oct 2012

Personalized medicine research strikes early for heart genes

A landmark paper identifying genetic signatures that predict which patients will respond to a life-saving drug for treating congestive heart failure has been published by a research team co-led by Stephen B. Liggett, MD, of the University of South Florida.

18 Oct 2012

Genetic clues for responders to heart failure drug identified

Researchers have identified genetic signatures that predict which patients respond to the beta blocker bucindolol.

18 Oct 2012

Older adults do not tend to adhere to their prescribed drugs after heart attack

Older adults who have had a heart attack don't tend to adhere to their prescribed drugs according to a new study of Medicare beneficiaries by the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.

11 Oct 2012

Beta blockers do not lower cardiac risk in patients with or without CAD

Beta-blocker therapy does not reduce the risk for cardiovascular events in patients with or without coronary artery disease, researchers say.

4 Oct 2012

Beta-blockers not associated with reduced risk of heart attacks, death and strokes

A new study conducted by researchers in the Cardiac and Vascular Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center, found using beta-blockers, the standard of care for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), was not associated with a lower risk of heart attacks, death and strokes in patients suffering from CAD and those with risk factors for the disease, including those with a history of heart attack.

4 Oct 2012