RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The current status of beta blockers’ use in the management of hypertension
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1307
OP 1317
VO 35
IS 11
A1 Akbar, Shahid
A1 Alorainy, Mohammad S.
YR 2014
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/35/11/1307.abstract
AB The invention of beta (β)-blockers culminated in a new era in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CD), and changed the course of pharmacology research for years to come. Since the introduction of propranolol into clinical practice in 1964, β-blockers enjoyed a special place in the clinicians’ armamentarium against CDs, especially for patients with ischemic heart diseases, and are still one of the most extensively used therapeutic drugs in both cardiac and non-cardiac ailments. Current uses of β-blockers in CDs include ischemic heart diseases, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. Other substantial non-cardiac uses include glaucoma, migraine, situational anxiety, benign essential tremors, and cardiac symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. This review covers some of the evolutionary changes of clinical uses of β-blockers, the rationale for their use, some recent controversies surrounding their use for treatment of hypertension, and advantages of newer additions to the group.