Doctors prescribe beta blocker medications for cardiovascular or heart and vascular diseases. Beta blockers decrease the pumping force of the heart and the pressure in the blood vessels. The Mayo Clinic warns that like all drugs, beta blockers can cause side effects and may not be suitable for all patients, including patients with diabetes or high cholesterol.
Identification
Beta blockers are prescribed for the treatment of hypertension of high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, chest pain and heart failure. These medications are also used to prevent recurrent heart attacks in patients that have suffered one previously, as described by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Beta blocker medications target beta receptors in the body. There are two main types of these receptors, called beta 1 and beta 2 receptors. The first type, beta 1, is involved in the control of the heart rate and the force of the heart beats. This is affected by the hormone epinephrine or adrenaline, which binds to the beta 1 receptor to increase heart rate, the force of heartbeats and therefore, blood pressure. This decreases the work of the heart and lowers high blood pressure. These drugs also work by dilating the walls of the blood vessels to facilitate blood flow.
Function
Beta blocker drugs are used to treat conditions such as hypertension or high blood pressure, migraines as well as to reduce the risk of recurring heart attacks in some patients. The MayoClinic.com explains that doctors are not yet sure why beta blockers cause side effects such as slowed metabolism or energy production. This side effect can lead to increased levels of glucose in the blood, weight gain and increased cholesterol in some individuals.
Types
There are several brand names and types of beta blockers. The MayoClinic.com notes that the different beta blocks can cause varying side effects. Weight gain that can worsen insulin sensitivity and high cholesterol levels is more common with older beta blockers. Newer beta blocker medications do not commonly cause weight gain as a side effect and are considered safer for patients with high cholesterol and diabetes.
Weight Gain
Beta blockers can cause adverse side effects in some individuals. The MayoClinic.com notes one side effect that can be problematic for many patients is a slowed metabolic rate, which leads to weight and edema or fluid retention in the body. In most patients, this side effect diminishes completely over time. However, in some cases, it can remain and cause related problems particularly in patients with excess weight and high cholesterol. Weight gain can also increase insulin resistance in diabetic patients, causing their blood glucose levels to rise. This effect may contribute to worsening diabetes in some patients even with regular diabetes medication.
Glucose Effects
Beta blockers are not recommended for diabetic patients because they affect the levels of glucose or sugars in the blood. Gabe Mirkin, M.D., a specialist in sports medicine, allergy and immunology, explains this occurs because beta blockers decrease the sensitivity of the body's tissues to the hormone insulin, which is needed to transport glucose into the cells, where it is used to produce energy. This can lead to high blood glucose levels, resulting in the body secreting more insulin to counteract it in a condition called hyperinsulinemia. High levels of insulin can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol, diabetic complications, hardening and narrowing of the arteries and heart disease.
