RE: What is a BETA blocker ????

[Jo Ann]

 birol
even tho i am a med person...i got this from the webster dictionary
 
  any group of drugs that interfere with the ablility of adrenaline to stimulate the beta receptors of the heart, thereby slowing the heart rate and lessening the force of blood flow...
 
 if ya lessen the force of blood flow...then you help to lower your bp...but check on antianxiety drugs too.

[birol]

 Jo Ann

ORIGINAL:  Jo Ann
 
 even tho i am a med person...i got this from the webster dictionary
 
  any group of drugs that interfere with the ablility of adrenaline to stimulate the beta receptors of the heart, thereby slowing the heart rate and lessening the force of blood flow...
 
 if ya lessen the force of blood flow...then you help to lower your bp...but check on antianxiety drugs too.
 

That is what I was thinking, heart beting too fast and strong. which creates the pressure. Why is it beating so fast or hard ? because I am overweight ? (I need to loose 25 Lbs or so). But doctor said even thin/fit people get this ilness, darn it I should have been a doctor not a computer engineer. At least I would probably know more about this now and I would still have a job. Never heard of a laid off doctor now did you ? []

[angelsmom10]

 birol
I can never get everything straight -- just like with vitamins and minerals and certain things do different things.  I need someone to tell me what to take and I ll take it.

[Jo Ann]

 birol
i am an rn and i was laid off...(YES!!! [])
 
 but with the way insurance is...more doctors have to take on more pts....and they are hiring nurse practitioners and PA s which is making it hard for newer doctors to start a practice, cuz the money isn t there anymore...so to speak

[brainpause]

 birol
A beta blocker is a drug that blocks receptors (usually in the heart) called beta receptors. The heart has mostly beta-1 receptors, and the lungs have mostly beta-2 receptors. When the beta-1 receptors are stimulated, the heart pumps harder and faster. Beta-1 stimulus is needed for fight-or-flight, so beta stimulus isn t all bad.
 
 Therefore, when you take a drug that induces beta blockade, the heart slows down and doesn t beat with as much force.
 
 Also, the beta-blocker drugs have some other blockade properties, like some minor alpha-blockade, which decreases blood pressure, but generally do not affect heart rate.
 
 As an aside, some drugs are beta STIMULATORS, more specifically beta-2 stimulators. These are used for asthmatics when a beta-2 stimulus is needed during an acute asthma attack.
 
 Birol, I am willing to bet that your other drug was a calcium channel blocker (or calcium antagonist), which blocks the stimulus for the blood vessels to " squeeze" , or increase pressure. Drugs which fall in this class include amlodipine (Norvasc) and Verapamil (Cardizem, Calan, etc.)
 
 Be patient when trying new medications. Sometimes it takes a while to find a combination of anti-hypertensives that a patient can tolerate that also work. Also, give the drugs and your body a chance to " get used to each other."  Sometimes the beta blockers can make you feel crummy at first, but more times than not the person gets used to it. Another idea is to take your beta-blocker drug at night if it makes you sleepy. I often tell my patients to take it at 9 pm.
 
 Class dismissed. Any other questions are welcome.
 
 Larry

[angelsmom10]

 birol
Ok that being said -- doesn t it take awhile (more than 1 week) for meds to fully work and show improvement and for the body to get used to the drug

[birol]

 brainpause

 

ORIGINAL:  brainpause
 
 
 Therefore, when you take a drug that induces beta blockade, the heart slows down and doesn t beat with as much force.
 
 Also, the beta-blocker drugs have some other blockade properties, like some minor alpha-blockade, which decreases blood pressure, but generally do not affect heart rate.
 
 Larry
 

 Thanks for the info larry, So this thing is mainly a beta blocker, and a sort of sideways alpha blocker, which is what I really need ? or do I need both to be blocked ? I am just trying to understand, so feel free to pitch in more. I am not criticizing anything. If all I need is alpha blockers, why there is no alpha blocking stuff, or was that inhibiace and sucked at it ? aren t there other ones out there ? This thing  I am taking has a warnign that it is not to be discontniued on my own that I might die or something ? Is that for other patients or does it effect me too ? How are we gonna change it I don t like it ?
 
 I hated it that she (doctor) ran out after a few minutes, as they were way behind schedule she was rush rush rush !!!!! I need advise. what to eat, to avoid, blah blah blah !

[angelsmom10]

 birol

 

ORIGINAL:  birol
 
 
 

ORIGINAL:  brainpause
 
 
 Therefore, when you take a drug that induces beta blockade, the heart slows down and doesn t beat with as much force.
 
 Also, the beta-blocker drugs have some other blockade properties, like some minor alpha-blockade, which decreases blood pressure, but generally do not affect heart rate.
 
 Larry
 

 Thanks for the info larry, So this thing is mainly a beta blocker, and a sort of sideways alpha blocker, which is what I really need ? or do I need both to be blocked ? I am just trying to understand, so feel free to pitch in more. I am not criticizing anything. If all I need is alpha blockers, why there is no alpha blocking stuff, or was that inhibiace and sucked at it ? aren t there other ones out there ? This thing  I am taking has a warnign that it is not to be discontniued on my own that I might die or something ? Is that for other patients or does it effect me too ? How are we gonna change it I don t like it ?
 
 I hated it that she (doctor) ran out after a few minutes, as they were way behind schedule she was rush rush rush !!!!! I need advise. what to eat, to avoid, blah blah blah !
 

Maybe sounds like time to get a new DR.  Mine will stay with me till all questions are answered.

[aldebnj]

 birol
Birol,
 
 Beta-Blockers are a typical drug used to reduce hypertension, so you are getting the right treatment.  I am taking the same drug (Tenormin/Atenenol) and have had no ill effects, but each person is different.
 
 A partial typical list as to what to avoid...Caffeine, Salt, excessive alcohol (there have been studies showing that one glass of wine a day is beneficial).  It would be helpful to know what your cholesterol is as well as that can be greatly changed by diet.  Excercise is great.  Start off slow and build up.  Weight loss will also help bring the numbers down.  Camping and sitting around the campfire with friends doesn t hurt either.
 
 Al
 
 Ex Paramedic married to a Cardiac Nurse

[Jo Ann]

 birol
i take lisinopril...and yes you need to give the drug a few days if you have light or mild adverse reactions...most clear up on their own.  but if you are having any adverse reactions...call your pharmacist to see if it needs to be reported to the doctor immediately...unless you got writtne info with your med...then you can check that.

[birol]

 Jo Ann
The effects of inhibace was increasing ........ ewwwww

[Camperroo]

 birol
Birol, I take a beta-blocker...Corgard (generic Nadolol) everyday and suffer from absolutely no side effects from it at all.  I went on it after having a sudden and unexpected event of tachycardia while at work one day.  It is also used for being to help monitor blood pressure, chest pain, angina, etc.  Like many medications you should never just stop taking something cold, as your body has become accustomed to taking it, especially medications like that.  Most docs would recommend tapering it off or switching to a new med.  Just wanted to reassure you on the beta blocker, I ve had no problem taking it all.  Good luck.

[Gone-Camping]

 birol

i take lisinopril

 That s the same stuff I m on, it s the generic for Prinivil.... Just another BP med, mine must be mild as I m only taking 20mg per day...

[birol]

 birol
I just took the first one at 9 pm, and I am expecting side effects, my nervers are so tight right niw. It makes me feel better that I might not get any side effects. I hope I don t, Inhibace was horrible.
 
 It is a 50 mg thingie ........ Looks so small and harmless ...
 
 This thing won t just stop my heart right ? []

[brainpause]

 birol

 

ORIGINAL:  birol
 
 
 This thing won t just stop my heart right ? []
 

 ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NOT!!
 
 Forget I said anything about alpha blockade. TMI, I suppose.
 
 Just think about the beta-blockers and other meds you might be taking. These drugs won t kill you...they just sometimes make you feel crummy until you get used to them.
 
 To sum all this up, birol, I want you to STOP fretting over it, as this doesn t help you at all. Just take the medicine as directed, give it a week OR MORE to give it a chance and to get used to some side effects. It is the hypertension that is dangerous, and you might just have to put up with some temporary side effects to get it under control!
 
 Larry