People with some types of heart disease may benefit from beta blockers. Some heart problems may make beta blockers a bad choice. Your doctor can tell you which beta blockers are right for you.

People with heart failure can benefit from taking beta blockers. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood as well as it should. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) recommend certain beta blockers for people with heart failure. These include bisoprolol, metoprolol, and carvedilol. Carvedilol is often the best beta blocker if you have heart failure. Carvedilol may reduce the risk of death a little more than atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, or nebivolol does. People with very severe or unstable heart failure should not take beta blockers.

Heart failure can get so bad people need to go to the hospital. They can even die. Beta blockers may prevent these bad outcomes. In one study, 21 out of 100 people with heart failure on a beta blocker had a bad outcome. This is compared to 29 out of 100 people taking a placebo (a sugar pill). So, a beta blocker helped prevent a bad outcome in at least 8 people out of 100.

People with coronary artery disease (CAD) can also take beta blockers. CAD is a condition in which major blood vessels of the heart are damaged. The ACC recommends certain beta blockers for people with stable CAD. Beta blockers can help relieve symptoms. People who have had a heart attack in the past might benefit the most.

Beta blockers are not for everyone. People with some heart conditions should avoid beta blockers. These include people with a slow heart rate or other problems with heart rhythm.

Your doctor can tell you which beta blockers are right for you. Make sure to talk about all your health conditions and concerns.

Beta blockers can take part in treating your heart!