Heart failure is a cardiovascular condition in which the heart is unable to sufficiently pump blood to meet the needs of the body's organs and tissues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around 5.8 million Americans have heart failure. Physicians often use beta blockers to treat some types of Class II or Class III heart failure. Beta blockers aid the failing heart by preventing it from beating too rapidly. They are used in combination with other types of cardiac drugs and are not recommended for all types of heart failure.
Carvedilol
"Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide" states that carvedilol is indicated for the treatment of certain types of mild to severe heart failure. Patients are usually monitored carefully during the initiation of therapy with carvedilol. A small dose is given at first, which can be increased over time. Common side effects include excessive tiredness, slowed heart rate, ringing in the ears, stomach pain, gas, the sensation that the room is spinning, constipation, dizziness, lowered blood pressure, runny nose and diarrhea. If carvedilol has been used for a long period of time, it should be tapered off over two weeks of time, explains the drug guide.
Bisoprolol
Bisoprolol fumurate is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for heart failure, but many physicians prescribe it for this purpose. A 2000 article titled "The Importance of Beta Blockers in the Treatment of Heart Failure" in "American Family Physician" reports that at least two clinical trials have been conducted with bisoprolol for heart failure patients. One trial showed improvement in heart failure class and less frequent hospitalization while the second trial demonstrated a decrease in the rate of sudden death, leading to bisoprolol's recommendation by some physicians. Common side effects include decreased interest in sex, impotence, diarrhea, excessive tiredness, stomach pain, gas, slowed heart rate, nausea, constipation and heart rhythm problems. It can worsen heart failure in some cases. Bisoprolol should be tapered off over a two-week period if it has been taken for for an extended period of time.
Metoprolol
An extended-release form of metoprolol succinate has been indicated for use in some types of heart failure, explains the "Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide." It should not be crushed or chewed. This medication should be tapered off for two weeks following long-term administration. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, lowered sex drive, impotence, heart rhythm problems, stomach pain, gas and diarrhea. It can also worsen heart failure in some cases.
References
- "American Family Physician"; The Importance of Beta Blockers in the Treatment of Heart Failure; William Chavey, M.D.; 2000
- "American Family Physician"; Beta Blocker Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure; Tarik Ramaki, M.D.; 2000
- American Heart Association: Medications Commonly Used to Treat Heart Failure
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Heart Failure Fact Sheet
- "Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide"; Amy M. Karch, R.N., M.S.; 2010
