Beta blockers: Calming, relaxing and anti-stress medications

Beta blockers are used in treatment of heart disease, by preventing stress hormones such as adrenalin, from acting on beta receptors. These receptors are located all over the body, including the heart.

They block beta 1 and beta 2 receptors but they don't act on beta receptors located in the fat cells. By blocking the effect of fight or flight hormones, the drug lowers blood pressure and heart rate, while inducing relaxation.

USES AND TREATMENT

Beta-blockers are used for treating wide array of heart related problems as well as few other conditions.

  • High blood pressure
  • Chest pain-angina
  • Arrhythmia
  • Heart failure
  • Tremor
  • Certain adrenal tumors
  • The medication is also helpful in preventing further heart attacks and death after a heart attack. Since the drug eases tension and reduces effects of stress hormones, it is also used in treating anxiety, hyperthyroidism, stress induced migraines, restlessness and insomnia.

    SIDE EFFECT AND TOXICITY

    Beta blockers are relatively safe, when used under supervision of the doctor but like any drug, they too can have side effects, such as:

  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nightmares and hallucinations
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Drowsiness or fatigue
  • Dry mouth, eyes, and skin
  • Stomach cramps
  • Nausea
  • Besides these main symptoms, person can also expirience breathing problems, vomiting, weaker sex drive, vision problems, joint pain, depression, rash, sleep disturbances, bloating, fatigue, hair loss, impared glucose metabolism and muscle cramps.

    Also, if individual is very sensitive to the drug or if he takes higher dose, then more serious side effect may emerge. This includes arrhythmia, heart failure, chest pain, heart attack and even death.

    DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Beta blockers can interact with many other drugs as well as some supplements. This includes:

  • Other drugs that lower blood pressure. Using both of them can dangerously lower blood pressure.
  • Diabetes medicines and insulin shots
  • Anti-depression medicines
  • Asthma medicines
  • Relaxing herbs such St.John's Wort and Kava Kava, Adaptogens, GABA, Phosphatidylserine, Mucuna(contains L-Dopa) and other herbs and supplements that can affect nervous system
  • Also, caffeine rich beverages and products containing aluminum can interact with these drugs.

    TIP

    While beta-blockers work by blocking stress receptors and can cause side effect, in my personal opinion, it is much better to treat the cause, instead of just block it.

    In this case, adaptogens such as rhodiola can work wonders to lower stress, by controling the production of adrenaline and cortisol, at the source, instead of blocking it with the drugs at the end, the receptors. 

    CONCLUSION

    Besides being used to treat heart disease, these drugs are also occasionally used by musicians and other performers to avoid "stage fright".

    Some people who take them for a long period of time need to up the dose since the body can get used to them, which makes them less effective.

    Also, you can't suddenly stop taking beta blockers. You have to do it gradually to avoid the side effects, associated with the withdrawal.

    Share this page:
    Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

    Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

    1. Click on the HTML link code below.
    2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.
    Heart Healthy Diet: Simple Tips and Guidelines
    Learn everything you need to know about heart healthy diet and find the right one for you. Implement few simple tips for immediate benefits.
    Heart Healthy Foods: How to Get the Most from Them
    Heart healthy foods can improve cardiovascular system function. Foods good for the heart are bursting with vitamins, minerals and rejuvenating phytochemicals.
    Herbs for the Heart and Cardiovascular System
    You have heard for hawthorn and garlic but there are few other herbs for the heart which can help in treating heart disease, naturally.
    The Best Heart Health Supplements
    Besides fish oil, there are several heart health supplements which can be useful. This includes Coenzyme Q10, Salicin, vitamin D3 and few others.
    Heart Healthy Spices
    Although there are many heart healthy spices out there, each of them can help prevent and treat heart disease in its own way, thanks to different types of flavonoids in these heart spices.
    Stress and Heart Disease: How are They Connected
    Stress and heart disease are closely related. In order to decrease the risk of heart problems, we have to learn how to handle the stress and treat its consequences, if we are unable to avoid it.
    Cardio Exercises for the Heart and Cardiovascular System
    Cardio exercises are vital part of natural heart disease treatment. However, which kind of heart exercise you should preform, varies from person to person.
    Good vs Bad Cholesterol: How to Improve Cholesterol Values
    Good vs bad cholesterol conflict is somewhat misunderstood. There is no good or bad cholesterol but only high or unbalanced cholesterol.
    Good Fats vs Bad Fats: Nutritional Facts and Guidelines
    What is the real truth when it comes to good fats vs bad fats? How much dietary fats should you consume daily and what are the best food sources of healthy fats?
    High Blood Pressure Remedies
    High blood pressure remedies range from tips and lifestyle modification to herbs and supplements. However, the method that works for someone else, may not work for you.
    Normal Heart Rate: How is Regulated and Influential Factors
    Normal heart rate varies from person to person. Although, age affects resting heart rate, there are many other factors that can raise or decrease heart rate.
    How to Lose Fat: Overlooked Tips for Weight Loss
    How to lose fat is surely one of the most intriguing questions for so many people. However, the answer is very simple. Eat healthy foods, perform fat burning exercises and take care of your hormones.
    Hormones and Heart Disease Connection
    Don't neglect hormones and heart disease connection. If you want to treat or prevent heart disease you have to balance your hormones.
    Heart Disease and Immune System Connection
    Heart disease and immune system connection is often overlooked, while trying to improve cardiovascular system function. However, there are several things you can do to change this.
    Dental Health Heart Disease Connection: Facts and Tips
    Dental health heart disease connection is one of three overlooked factors, along with hormones and immune system. However, with smart and effective approach we can change this.
    Causes of Heart Disease
    There are many causes of heart disease and factors that can increase or decrease your risk for developing heart related problems. Check how to turn the tide in your favour.
    Symptoms of Heart Disease
    There are few main symptoms of heart disease. Find out which are they, how to recognize them as well as my personal experience with some of them.
    Diagnosis of Heart Disease
    Accurate diagnosis of heart disease is the first step toward recovery. You can't start with treatment before you know what kind of disease you have, obviously.
    Treatment for Heart Disease: Medications and Surgeries
    Standard treatment for heart disease consists of surgeries, medications and devices. Which one is right for you, depends on your condition.
    Heart Disease Blog
    This is a blog about natural remedies, personal stories, helpful herbs and supplements, workout program as well as other tips and facts which may help people faced with heart disease.
    Contact Me
    Ask questions and leave comments about this site here.
    About the Author of Heart Health Guide
    About the author of Heart-health-guide.com website.
    Heart Health Guide Sitemap
    This is sitemap of Heart Health Guide.com. If you want to get better overview of informations on this website, you can get it here.

    Copyright © - Heart Health Guide - All Rights Reserved.


    About Author | Privacy Policy| Disclaimer / Disclosure | Contact



    Custom Search



    Adaptogens & Superfoods



















    Omega 3 fatty acids from krill and fish oil with Sesame Lignans, Olive Extract & Astaxanthin























    Hawthorn Extract - min 1,8 % Vitexin