These drugs help lower the pressure your heart must pump against to push blood into the arteries. By decreasing what's known as myocardial contractility, or the ability of the inner muscles of the heart to contract, beta-blockers help reduce the overall workload of the heart muscle. They are used to treat a variety of medical conditions, most of them heart conditions ranging from hypertension to coronary artery disease to angina pectoris. Beta-blockers are also prescribed to help prevent migraines or uncontrollable shaking of the hands. Some patients may experience an asthma-like reaction.
Some patients also experience a tingling or coldness of extremities.
Depending on the dosage, impotence can also be a significant side effect. People with certain medical conditions may not be appropriate candidates for beta-blockers. The most common contraindications are asthma and congestive heart failure. Other conditions that may preclude taking beta-blockers are diabetes, emphysema, hypoglycemia, renal failure and pregnancy. For a complete list, consult with your physician.