Beta-blocker use in cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Beta-blockers are widely used to treat a number of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, angina and hypertension. By inhibiting the binding of catacholamines to beta receptors in the heart and vasculature, beta-blockers can reduce cardiac contractility, heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac output. A sound understanding of how beta-blockers work and the basis of their recommendation for various indications is needed to promote their safe and effective use in patients. This article briefly describes the physiology of beta-adrenergic receptors, the mechanism of action of beta-blockers and their place in the therapy of cardiovascular disease,

Beta‐blocker‐associated hypoglycaemia: New insights from a real‐world pharmacovigilance study

“…4 The most common medications causing hypoglycaemia are antidiabetic drugs, especially insulin and sulphonamides 5 ; however, many other drugs commonly used in clinical practice have been associated with the development of hypoglycaemia, such as β-blockers, a class of drugs primarily used to treat cardiovascular diseases among the adult and the paediatric population. 6,7 The likely mechanism responsible for hypoglycaemia induced by β-blockers involves direct inhibition of hepatic glucose production and pancreatic glucagon release. Additionally, adrenaline counter-regulation is diminished, resulting in a reduction of sympathetic-induced glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, and inhibition of glucose disposal by insulin-dependent tissues.…”