Beta blockers
Start with the big picture
Beta blockers lower myocardial oxygen demand by slowing heart rate, reducing contractility and blood pressure, and prolonging diastole. Cardioselective agents such as metoprolol, atenolol, and bisoprolol are preferred options described for angina. They offer mortality benefit in post-MI and chronic stable angina, but do not relieve variant (Prinzmetal) angina because they do not directly address coronary vasospasm. Treatment decisions also depend on contraindications, cautions, adverse effects, and potential interactions. Combining beta blockers with nitrates or dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers can provide additive anti-ischemic effects; combining them with verapamil or diltiazem can raise the risk of severe bradycardia or AV block. The full lesson develops these principles across drug selection, dosing and monitoring, pharmacokinetics, and special situations.
What you'll learn
- Explain how beta blockers reduce myocardial oxygen demand.
- Distinguish their role in stable angina from their lack of benefit in variant angina.
- Identify preferred cardioselective agents and relevant combination-therapy cautions.
- Recognize major contraindications, adverse effects, and interaction considerations.
- Describe the lesson’s approach to dosing, monitoring, and pharmacokinetic differences.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
