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Contemporary Use of β-Blockers: Clinical Relevance of Subclassification
- Source :
- Canadian Journal of Cardiology; May 2014, Vol. 30 Issue: 5, Number 5 Supplement 1 pS9-S15, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- β-Adrenergic receptor blockers or β-blockers represent one of the oldest classes of cardiovascular agents and have been considered a cornerstone therapy for hypertension and heart disease for the past 5 decades. They are advocated as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated essential hypertension in patients younger than 60 years of age as recommended by the Canadian Hypertension Education Program. However, despite the well-established antihypertensive and cardiovascular benefits of β-blockers, a number of studies argue that they might not have the same clinical advantages of other classes of agents in terms of morbidity/mortality outcomes. This review will focus on the heterogeneity of the pharmacologic characteristics of β-blockers, and we will discuss the metabolic and hemodynamic differences within the β-blocker class and try to assess the potential implications of these differences for optimal selection in hypertension.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0828282X
- Volume :
- 30
- Issue :
- 5, Number 5 Supplement 1
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Canadian Journal of Cardiology
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs32745171
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjca.2013.12.001