It turns out, however, that much of the damage caused by congestive heart failure occurs when the body overreacts to the chronic lack of blood. It responds by pumping out more and more adrenaline, which forces the ailing heart to work ever harder. Beta-blockers interrupt this destructive cycle, allowing the heart to stabilize. Researchers hope it won't take too long to convince doctors that they can safely prescribe beta-blockers for congestive heart failure. Make no mistake, these are powerful drugs.
Side effects can include fatigue, insomnia and, in men, impotence.
Physicians must start patients on low doses to allow the body to adapt to the medication. They must monitor their patients closely, at least for the first few weeks, for signs of overdose. The drugs cannot be taken by people with severe heart failure or asthma. Nor are they appropriate for folks whose heart condition has occurred as a result of a valve disease. But many patients whose lives have been constrained and threatened by congestive heart failure will probably agree that the benefits are worth the risks.