Questions About Common Heart Medicine
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: October 3, 2012
A new study raises questions about a treatment for heart disease. Beta blockers are standard care for a variety of conditions. But for some patients, the medication might not be offering the protection they need.
Beta blockers reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow for heart patients. The new study - published in the Journal of the American Medical Association - found beta blockers did not lower the risk of death from heart disease or the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Millions of patients use beta blockers after a heart attack and to treat symptoms including high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm. Doctors say they need to see more research before they consider changing that practice.
Beta blockers reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow for heart patients. The new study - published in the Journal of the American Medical Association - found beta blockers did not lower the risk of death from heart disease or the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Millions of patients use beta blockers after a heart attack and to treat symptoms including high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm. Doctors say they need to see more research before they consider changing that practice.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.