Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Beta blockers are among the most-prescribed drugs to
treat high blood pressure. However, they can cause impotence, tiredness at rest and during exercise, and weight gain; and they increase risk for diabetes. Furthermore, a study from Sweden showed that beta blockers increase risk of strokes (Lancet, October 29, 2005).
Brand names of the beta blockers include Toprol, Inderal,
Blocadron, Coreg, Inopran, Levatol, Pindolol, Sectral, Tenormin,
Timolol Trandate, Zebeta and Bisoprol. Studies show that they
are the drugs of choice to treat people who have had heart
attacks, heart pain, heart failure, rapid heart beat and atrial
fibrillation. However, even though many physicians prescribe
beta blockers to treat high blood pressure in their patients who
have not had heart attacks, no data show that they prevent heart
attacks in healthy people. Besides, they often
make a person so tired that he has difficulty exercising.
My recommendations for treatment of high blood pressure
Checked 8/9/09