For decades, beta-blockers have been prescribed after heart attacks to protect the heart and lower the chance of another episode. But new international trial data suggests this long-standing practice may not help most patients — and may even add risks for women.
Researchers followed nearly 10,000 heart attack patients with normal heart function. They compared those who took beta-blockers to those who did not. After several years, both groups had nearly the same rates of death, repeat heart attacks, and hospitalizations for heart failure. In women with preserved heart function, the drug was tied to more complications, including higher hospitalization and death rates.
Experts say the results could reshape treatment guidelines worldwide. Since most modern heart attack patients fall into the “milder” category studied, beta-blockers may not be the one-size-fits-all solution they’ve long been considered. The drugs still play a key role for patients with severe heart damage, heart failure, or other conditions, but doctors may now rethink prescribing them routinely after less severe heart attacks.
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