• b-Blockers reduce mortality and reinfarction in patients after acute MI.¹

• b-Blockers reduce the incidence of ventricular and atrial arrhythmias, including populations with a propensity for sudden cardiac death.¹

• b-b-Blockers improve systolic function and reduce mortality and morbidity in patients with HF due to LV dysfunction.²

• b-Blockers have a wide therapeutic range in cardiovascular disease. Conditions where the level of evidence is lower include:

  - Diuretics and b-blockers are initial choices in the treatment of hypertension (unless contraindicated or there are special indications for other agents).³ Clinical trials have shown that these agents reduce morbidity and mortality and may prevent stroke, coronary artery disease, sudden death, and HF.

  - b-Blockers are recommended for secondary prevention in the management of patients with chronic stable angina without prior MI, where their combination of properties makes b-blockers extremely useful.⁴

¹Kaplan NM. Beta blockade in the primary prevention of hypertensive cardiovascular events with focus on sudden cardiac death. Am J Cardiol. 1997;80(9B):20J-22J.

²Gomberg-Maitland M, Baram DA. Fuster V. Treatment for congestive heart failure: Guidelines for the primary care physician and the heart failure specialist. Arch Intern Med. 2001;161:342-352.

³The sixth report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157:2413-2446.

⁴Gersh BJ, Braunwald E, Bonow RO. Chronic coronary artery disease. In: Braunwald E, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Heart Disease. A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Vol 2. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Penn: W.B. Saunders; 2001:1272-1363.