New research challenges the idea that beta -blockers should be taken by patients who are recovering from a heart attack, especially for women.
For decades, beta -blockers were the basis of cardiac treatment, routinely prescribed to patients recovering from a heart attack to decrease heart ratereduce blood pressure and relieve the workload of the heart.
But a new one published in The New England Journal of Medicine and the European Heart Journal suggests that for many patients, these medications may no longer offer benefits and, in some cases, may even be harmful.
Two major studies conducted in Spain and Italy, involving 8438 patients in 109 health centers, examined whether beta -blockers remain effective in the modern era of cardiac treatment. Advances such as stents and statins significantly improved recovery rates after myocardial infarctionwhich has raised doubts about whether older therapies still make sense.
The investigators focused on patients whose left ventricular ejection fraction (Fe) was above 40%. A normal Fe ranges from 55% to 70%, while values below 40% indicate significant dysfunction. Half of the studied patients were prescribed beta -blockers beyond standard therapy, while the other half do not, the.
After an average of 3.7 years of follow -up, the results did not show significant differences Between the two groups at the rates of a second infarction, hospitalization for heart failure or death. This discovery challenges decades of medical practice rooted in clinical trials conducted over 40 years ago.
The most impressive results emerged in subgroup analysis. Among the 1627 women included in the study, who were usually older and to have more health complications, those who used beta -blockers presented worse results. The highest risks of complications and death were particularly notorious in women with stronger heart recovery and those who took higher doses of the drug. This pattern was not observed among male patients.
Cardiologists warn that beta -blockers still play an important role in treating other conditions, including arrhythmias and hypertension. However, the new discoveries point to the need for more personalized approaches in post-effective treatment, particularly when the heart has recovered the normal function.
“These results will help to streamline treatment, reduce side effects and improve the quality of life of thousands of patients Every year, ”said Borja Ibáñez, cardiologist at the Spain National Cardiovascular Research Center.
