A beta blocker is a drug used to treat hypertension, arrhythmias, certain heart failure cases and some other health conditions. Beta blockers are effective because they lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as improve blood flow.
Essentially how a beta blocker works is by binding to adrenaline receptor sites. Adrenaline, aka epinephrine, is an autonomic nervous system stimulating hormone, which one of its chemical messenger actions is increasing your heart’s rate and force of contraction. So, if a beta blocker is already bound to many of its sites, adrenaline cannot cause its typical heart pounding effect.
As such, the outcome after taking a beta blocker is low heart rate with less force. Hence, lower blood pressure and heart blood flow improvement are beneficial consequences.
Beta blockers are used to treat various health conditions beyond the simple objectives of lower blood pressure and low heart rate. A beta blocker may be used as treatment for:
- CAD
- anxiety
- glaucoma
- arrhythmia
- heart failure
- tachycardia
- hypertension
- certain tremors
- hyperthyroidism
- small septal defects
- pheochromocytoma
- migraine headaches
- angina chest pain symptoms
- mitral valve prolapse syndrome
Beta blockers are typically used for heart failure along side other drugs such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors and digoxin.
Beta blockers cause a wide range of drug side effects, like:
- rash
- fatigue
- edema
- dry skin
- diarrhea
- dyspnea
- dry eyes
- insomnia
- arthralgia
- wheezing
- dizziness
- back pain
- headache
- weakness
- dry mouth
- impotence
- sore throat
- depression
- nightmares
- weight gain
- palpitations
- constipation
- blurred vision
- memory loss
- stomach pain
- hallucinations
- muscle cramps
- cold hands, feet
- loss of sex drive
- trouble breathing
- nausea, vomiting
- restless leg syndrome
Because a beta blocker lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, it has the side effect of low circulating oxygen. So, several of these beta blocker side effects are actually caused by low oxygen.
Another consequence of beta blocker induced low heart rate and lower blood pressure is it may cause heart failure or other heart health concerns should you suffer pre-existing heart problems. A beta blocker generally isn’t prescribed to asthmatics because it could trigger a severe asthma attack. And this drug can trigger a psoriasis flare-up too.
If you have diabetes, beta blockers could cause low or high blood glucose, as well as mask your symptoms of hypoglycemia. Therefore, diabetics must be extra vigilant in monitoring blood sugar.
Because beta blockers interfere with adrenaline, which prepares your body for “fight or flight”, one side effect is to lessen your physical fear response. And this can be helpful if you suffer stage fright.
