Beta Blockers Help Women with Heart Failure, Too

Monday, July 29, 2002

ROCHESTER, MINN. — Researchers have known for years that beta blockers — medications that control high blood pressure and help the heart beat more efficiently — can help men with heart failure. But they weren't sure if women also benefited.

A recent study shows that women with heart failure do benefit from beta blockers, according to the August issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood adequately through the body.

Researchers collected data from 900 women who participated in the three largest studies done on beta blockers. The results, published in the journal Circulation, showed an overall 21 percent reduction in death and hospitalization for women taking beta blockers compared with women taking placebos. Hospitalizations due to a worsening of the women's heart failure dropped by 42 percent.

Shelly Plutowski 507-284-5005 (days) 507-284-2511 (evenings) e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-351-8963, extension 9PK1.

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