Beta blockers how does it work

In addition to relaxing your heart, some beta-blockers also relax your blood vessels, which can help to reduce blood pressure. All beta-blockers used to treat anxiety are prescribed off-label. Propranolol and atenolol are two beta-blockers that are often prescribed to help with anxiety. A doctor can still prescribe it for this purpose because the FDA regulates the testing and approval of drugs, not how doctors use them to treat their patients. Beta-blockers work best for managing short-term anxiety about specific events, rather than long-term anxiety.

A review of existing research about using short-term propranolol for treating different anxiety disorders found that its effects were similar to those of benzodiazepines. However, benzodiazepines can cause a range of side effects, and some people have a higher risk of becoming dependent on them. People respond differently to medications, especially when it comes to treating mental health issues like anxiety.

What works for one person may not work at all for someone else. You may also need additional treatment options for your anxiety while taking beta-blockers, to get to the more psychological aspects. Both atenolol and propranolol come in pill form. The amount you should take depends on both the type of beta-blocker and your medical history. Never take more than what your doctor prescribes. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor might suggest taking a beta-blocker regularly or just before stressful events.

Usually, beta-blockers will be used in combination with other treatments such as therapy, lifestyle changes , and other medications. If you take beta-blockers regularly, you may have serious withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop. For some people, the side effects of beta-blockers may actually cause anxiety symptoms. You should follow up with your doctor as soon as possible if you feel like taking beta-blockers is increasing your anxiety.

Beta-blockers can also interact with other medications used to treat many heart conditions and antidepressants, so make sure you keep your doctor up to date about any medications, supplements, or vitamins you take.

Beta-blockers can be helpful in managing symptoms for some people with anxiety. Your heart will beat slower and less forcefully when beta-blockers are working. This can help reduce blood pressure and alleviate irregular heart rhythms. Some beta-blockers only work on the heart itself, while others affect the heart and blood vessels. Your doctor may prescribe beta-blockers even if you have few symptoms of heart problems or heart failure.

Beta-blockers have been shown to have some health benefits outside of helping the heart. For example, they protect bones by preventing the kidneys from excreting calcium into urine.

These drugs block stress hormones that could otherwise cause bone thinning over time. Stronger bones just may be an extra benefit of taking these medications. If you know that an overdose has occurred, call your doctor or local poison control center.

The U. National Poison Control Center phone number is Some of the older beta-blockers — such as atenolol and metoprolol — have been reported to cause an average weight gain of 2.

Fluid retention and accompanying weight gain can be signs that you have heart failure or that your heart failure is getting worse. Be sure to let your doctor know if you gain more than 2 to 3 pounds within a day, gain more than 5 pounds within a week, or your symptoms worsen. You also may notice some changes in the way your heart works during day-to-day life. For example, beta-blockers prevent spikes in heart rate. They may recommend a stress test to determine your target heart rate during cardio.

This is known as the rate of perceived exertion. Take your medication as prescribed. Beta-blockers can also be selective or non-selective. Selective beta-blockers mostly target the heart, while non-selective ones manage symptoms in other parts of the body.

Here are some common types and brands of beta-blockers:. Beta-blockers affect receptors throughout the body and can have a range of side effects , including:. There is also a risk of heart block , especially in people with heart disease. People should advise their doctor if they have a history of any of the following before taking beta-blockers:.

Those who have a heart condition or chest pain and a history of cocaine use should talk with their doctor before using beta-blockers.

This is because there is some debate about whether or not it is safe to use them in these circumstances. People with diabetes , especially hypoglycemia , should monitor their blood sugar regularly.

This is because beta-blockers can obstruct signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Some types of beta-blocker may be safe to use during pregnancy if a doctor advises it. The doctor can advise on which beta-blockers are suitable for an individual to use after considering their full medical history.

Like all drugs, beta-blockers can interact with a number of other medications. These include :. Different beta-blockers can have different interactions. A pharmacist or doctor can advise on which medications each type of beta-blocker will interact with. For this reason, it is essential for people to inform a doctor about any medications they are using, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Beta-blockers are a first-line treatment for many conditions.

They are especially useful for improving cardiovascular symptoms, such as high blood pressure. Having a low resting heart rate, or pulse, is often a sign of good health. But are there easy ways to achieve this? Here, we discuss eleven ways to…. Unstable angina is a type of chest pain that occurs when a person is resting.

Learn more about its symptoms, causes, and treatment options here. A person's arteries can become clogged when plaques build up inside them, reducing blood flow. Eating specific foods cannot cleanse plaques out of the….