CNN – A class of drugs called beta-blockers — used for decades as a first-line treatment after a heart attack— doesn’t benefit the vast majority of patients and may contribute to a higher risk of hospitalization and death in some women but not in men, according to groundbreaking new research.
“These findings will reshape all international clinical guidelines on the use of beta-blockers in men and women and should spark a long-needed, sex-specific approach to treatment for cardiovascular disease,” said senior study author Dr. Valentin Fuster, president of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York City and general director of the National Center for Cardiovascular Investigation in Madrid.
Women with little heart damage after their heart attacks who were treated with beta-blockers were significantly more likely to have another heart attack or be hospitalized for heart failure — and nearly three times more likely to die — compared with women not given the drug, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal and also scheduled to be presented Saturday at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid.
“Despite comprising 50.8% of the U.S. population, women remain underrepresented in the field of cardiology, comprising only 15.5% of practicing cardiologists.” – Gender Disparities in Cardiology, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 20 March 2025
“This was especially true for women receiving high doses of beta-blockers,” said lead study author Dr. Borja Ibáñez, scientific director for Madrid’s National Center for Cardiovascular Investigation.
“The total number of women in the clinical trial was the largest ever included in a study testing beta-blockers after myocardial infarction (heart attack), so this is a significant finding,” said Ibáñez, a cardiologist at Madrid’s Jiménez Díaz Foundation University Hospital …
Beta blockers
Mayo Clinic
These medicines are often used to treat high blood pressure when other medicines have not worked.
Beta blockers are medicines that lower blood pressure. They also may be called beta-adrenergic blocking agents. These medicines block the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline.
Beta blockers cause the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. This lowers blood pressure. Beta blockers also help widen veins and arteries to improve blood flow.
Examples of beta blockers
Some beta blockers mainly affect the heart. Other beta blockers affect both the heart and blood vessels. Several beta blockers are available. The best one for you depends on your overall health.
Examples of beta blockers taken by mouth include:
- Acebutolol.
- Atenolol (Tenormin).
- Bisoprolol.
- Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL).
- Nadolol.
- Nebivolol (Bystolic).
- Propranolol (Inderal LA, InnoPran XL).
When beta blockers are used
Beta blockers are not recommended as a first treatment if you have only high blood pressure. Beta blockers are not usually used for high blood pressure unless other medicines, such as diuretics, have not worked well. A beta blocker may be one of several medicines used to lower blood pressure.
Beta blockers are used to prevent, treat, or improve symptoms in other conditions, such as:
- Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.
- Heart failure.
- Chest pain, called angina.
- Heart attacks.
- Migraine.
- Some types of tremors.
Side effects
Common side effects of beta blockers can include:
- Cold hands or feet.
- Extreme tiredness.
- Weight gain.
- Dizziness or light-headedness.
Less common side effects include:
- Depression.
- Shortness of breath.
- Trouble sleeping.
Beta blockers, especially ones that affect both the heart and blood vessels, generally are not used if you have asthma. There are concerns that the medicine may trigger severe asthma attacks.
If you have diabetes, beta blockers may block signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. It’s important to check your blood sugar regularly if you have diabetes and you’re taking a beta blocker.
Some beta blockers can affect cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They can cause a slight rise in triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. Beta blockers also can cause a modest decrease in good cholesterol, called high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. These changes may only last for a short time.
You should not suddenly stop taking a beta blocker. Doing so could increase your risk of a heart attack or other heart problem.
Talk to your healthcare team if you have any questions about the medicines you take.
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