Temple researchers identify novel mechanism underlying efficacy of common heart failure drug
(Temple University Health System) Beta-blocker drugs serve a key role in the treatment of heart failure, preventing bombardment of the heart by catecholamines -- substances like epinephrine and norepinephrine -- which overexcite and stress the heart. But not all HF patients respond to beta-blockers, for reasons that are unclear. Now, researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University show that dysfunction of beta-adrenergic receptor 3 (β3AR) and consequent decreases in a critical cardioprotective phospholipid may be to blame. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - July 3, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Popular class of drugs reverse potentially harmful genetic changes from heart disease
(York University) Beta blockers are commonly used world-wide to treat a variety of cardiovascular conditions, such as arrhythmias and heart failure. Scientists have known for decades that the medications work by slowing the heart rate and reducing the force of contraction -- lessening the burden of work carried out by the heart. However, new research out of York University has now shown that these drugs also reverse a number of potentially detrimental genetic changes associated with heart disease. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - June 30, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Optimal Beta-blockers May Avert Post-ICD Shock HF Decompensation Optimal Beta-blockers May Avert Post-ICD Shock HF Decompensation
A spike in sympathetic activation after shocks, whether appropriate or not, may raise the risk of heart-failure decompensation within a few months, but maybe less so if beta-blockers are on board.Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines - June 28, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cardiology News Source Type: news
Managing Coronary Artery Disease and Chronic Stable Angina Managing Coronary Artery Disease and Chronic Stable Angina
This article reviews the pharmacotherapeutic options for stable ischemic heart disease, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, ACE inhibitors, statins, and antiplatelet agents.U.S. Pharmacist (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - June 26, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pharmacist Journal Article Source Type: news
Therapeutic effect of beta-blocker in patients with traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis - Chen Z, Tang L, Xu X, Wei X, Wen L, Xie Q.
OBJECTIVE: β-Blocker exposure has been shown to reduce mortality in traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, the efficacy of β-blockers remains inconclusive. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted in this paper to evaluate the safety and efficacy of β-b... (Source: SafetyLit)
Source: SafetyLit - June 15, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Tags: Economics of Injury and Safety, PTSD, Injury Outcomes Source Type: news
Beta - Blockers Cut Mortality for Patients in Sinus Rhythm
Drop in mortality for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction regardless of heart rate (Source: Pulmonary Medicine News - Doctors Lounge)
Source: Pulmonary Medicine News - Doctors Lounge - June 13, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Cardiology, Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Internal Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Pulmonology, Journal, Source Type: news
Beta-blocker use and fall risk in older individuals; original results from two studies with meta-analysis - Ham AC, van Dijk SC, Swart KMA, Enneman AW, van der Zwaluw NL, Brouwer-Brolsma EM, van Schoor NM, Carola Zillikens M, Lips P, de Groot LCPGM, Hofman A, Witkamp RF, Uitterlinden AG, Stricker BH, van der Velde N.
AIMS: To investigate the association between use of beta-blockers and beta-blocker characteristics - selectivity, lipid solubility, intrinsic sympathetic activity (ISA), and CYP2D6 enzyme metabolism - and fall risk. METHODS: Data from two prospecti... (Source: SafetyLit)
Source: SafetyLit - June 9, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Tags: Age: Elder Adults Source Type: news
Beta-Blocker Side Effects and Brain Trickery Reconsidered Beta-Blocker Side Effects and Brain Trickery Reconsidered
Drs Messerli and Bangalore respectfully disagree with Dr John Mandrola ' s recent commentary on the role of the nocebo effect in patient perceptions of drug side effects.Letters to the Editor (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - June 8, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cardiology Letter Source Type: news
Non-selective beta-blockers may increase risk of falling
Taking certain types of beta-blocker drug could increase older patients ’ risk of falling, according to researchers who say their findings have important implications for prescribers. (Source: Nursing Times)
Source: Nursing Times - June 7, 2017 Category: Nursing Source Type: news
Certain cardiovascular medications may increase risk of falling
(Wiley) A new analysis suggests that among older adults who take cardiovascular medications, those using non-selective beta-blockers may be at an increased of falling compared with those using selective beta-blockers. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - June 7, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Toxicology Rounds: Will This Dog(ma) Hunt? Beta Blockers for Cocaine Toxicity
No abstract available (Source: Emergency Medicine News)
Source: Emergency Medicine News - June 1, 2017 Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Toxicology Rounds Source Type: news
Beta-blockers 'useless' for many heart attack patients, study reports
Conclusion
This study aimed to see whether beta blockers reduce mortality in people who've had a heart attack but who don't have heart failure or systolic dysfunction. It found no difference between those who were and those who were not given beta-blockers on discharge from hospital.
The authors say this adds to the evidence that routine prescription of beta blockers might not be needed for patients without heart failure following a heart attack.
Current UK guidelines recommend all people who have had a heart attack take beta blockers for at least one year to reduce risk of recurrent events. Only people with heart failure ...
Source: NHS News Feed - May 30, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Medication Source Type: news
Blanket use of beta-blockers in MI patients questioned
The established practice that all heart attack patients should routinely receive beta-blockers has been challenged by UK researchers. (Source: Nursing Times)
Source: Nursing Times - May 30, 2017 Category: Nursing Source Type: news
Beta-Blockers Might Not Improve Survival in Some Heart Attack Patients (FREE)
By Amy Orciari Herman
Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH
Use of beta-blockers after myocardial infarction might not improve 1-year survival in patients who don ' t have heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction, suggests an observational study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. U.S. guidelines currently recommend … (Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)
Source: Physician's First Watch current issue - May 30, 2017 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
Beta blockers may not help many heart attack victims, research claims
Study finds 95% of patients who had heart attack but not heart failure saw no benefit, suggesting drugs are overprescribedMany patients given beta blockers after aheart attack may not benefit from being on the drugs, suggesting they may be being overprescribed, researchers have said.UK medical guidelines recommend all people who have had a heart attack should be put on beta blockers, medicines that reduce the activity of the heart and lower blood pressure.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - May 29, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Press Association Tags: Heart attack Medical research Health Society UK news Science Source Type: news
