Side effects of beta blockers?

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Side effects of beta blockers?

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14 Posts

suzy
Forum Junior

Topics: 13
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07/13/06 - 09:37 AM

#1

Came across a question that read something like;

A 55 year old pt came into ER for squeezing chest pain...pt has had an MI about 2 months back..and was put on B blockers there after...By what mechanism can the B blockers cause these symptoms?? Is it because B blockers can cause bradycardia?

achilles
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07/13/06 - 12:15 PM

#2

maybe the same mechanism by which beta blockers worsen PVD's .... but not sure. i hope someone clears this in a much better way.

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cyra
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07/13/06 - 04:13 PM

#3

hmmm...could you pls post the entire question?On the contrary beta blockers are protective post MI cos they decrease myocardial contractility and so decrease the heart's oxygen demand.

docofthebigapple
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07/13/06 - 04:29 PM

#4

Non selective beta blockers could cause worsenin of copd or asthma.

they are also known to cause lipid abnormalities. i dont remember exactly what.

they can cause deterioration of peripheral vascular disease.

Bradycardia will decrease oxygen demand and instead relieve chest pain if its of cardiac origin.

suzy
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07/13/06 - 04:44 PM

#5

Acutally u guys one of the attendings asked me this and told me to do somereading on...but i havent been able to fnd anything!

A 55 year old male comes into the ER with a chest pain that is squeezing in nature, nonradiating, and lasts for about 45 min. The patient had a MI two months ago. At the time of discharge the patient was put on B blockers. By what mechanism can B Blockers causes these symptoms in this patient?

msyamp
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07/13/06 - 04:50 PM

#6

may be like not specific b blockers cuse vasospasm by blocking B2 receptors cause prinzmetal kinda angina smiling face

smiling face

)

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docofthebigapple
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07/13/06 - 04:57 PM

#7

think of respiratory problem/broncho-constriction etc.

"squeezing" chest pain is a subjective expression and cannot be relied to make a diagnosis.

On second thought maybe he had reinfarct. Pain is for 45 minutes. right coronary this time

poor guy

suzy
Forum Junior

Topics: 13
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07/14/06 - 02:50 PM

#8

Well herer is the answer...

Beta Blockers can cause Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure if medication is withdrawn suddenly.
So this patient might felt that he was feeling better and didnt need the meds anymore or some sideffects like limit the endurance of a person who exercises (because they slow the heart rate).
or can make it difficult to lose weight or nightmares and confusion.
Some people feel tired when they take beta-blockers. Depression is another possible side effect.

I hope this info can be useful...sorry if it wasnt...also Beta Blockers decrease HDL.

suzy
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Topics: 13
Posts: 40

07/14/06 - 02:52 PM

#9

Sorry for all the gramatical mistakes...Im surviving on about 4-5 hr of sleep!!! grin

grin

grin

docofthebigapple
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07/14/06 - 02:56 PM

#10

Hmmm..... Good point Suzy.

Compliance, one of the finer points of medicine we never learn from books.

Good job. Keep it up.

AAAAA
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07/14/06 - 02:58 PM

#11

suzy wrote:
Well herer is the answer...

Beta Blockers can cause Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure if medication is withdrawn suddenly.
So this patient might felt that he was feeling better and didnt need the meds anymore or some sideffects like limit the endurance of a person who exercises (because they slow the heart rate).
or can make it difficult to lose weight or nightmares and confusion.
Some people feel tired when they take beta-blockers. Depression is another possible side effect.

I hope this info can be useful...sorry if it wasnt...also Beta Blockers decrease HDL.

Low-dose cardio-selective beta-blockers will not present with these kind of problems. Withdrawl can cause tachycardia and otehr symtoms as mentioned.

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cyra
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07/14/06 - 05:45 PM

#12

Thanks for clearing this up suzy!Good point indeed!

AAAAA
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07/14/06 - 06:26 PM

#13

suzy wrote:
Well herer is the answer...

Beta Blockers can cause Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure if medication is withdrawn suddenly.
So this patient might felt that he was feeling better and didnt need the meds anymore or some sideffects like limit the endurance of a person who exercises (because they slow the heart rate).
or can make it difficult to lose weight or nightmares and confusion.
Some people feel tired when they take beta-blockers. Depression is another possible side effect.

I hope this info can be useful...sorry if it wasnt...also Beta Blockers decrease HDL.

You always start the patient with very low-dose beta blocker like 12.5 mg before you go up, go low and slow !

Good luck to your examination !

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suzy
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07/14/06 - 07:46 PM

#14

Thank you AAAAA. I will remember that!

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