Beta-blocker medicines slow the heart rate and decrease how forcefully the heart contracts. This reduces the amount of oxygen the heart needs to work. Beta-blockers are often used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain, and heart failure.
Examples of beta-blocking medicines include:
- Atenolol (Tenormin).
- Propranolol hydrochloride (such as Inderal).
- Esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc).
- Metoprolol (such as Lopressor or Toprol XL).
- Acebutolol (Sectral).
- Penbutolol sulfate (Levatol).
- Pindolol (Visken).
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
| Last Updated | December 12, 2008 |
Author:Robin Parks, MS
Last Updated: 12/12/2008
