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Chinese Health Network Reporter Luo Shihua / Compiled October 4, 2012
Beta-blockers have been used in medicine for years to prevent sudden attacks in heart disease patients. However, a recent joint study published in the *Journal of the American Medical Association* suggests that this medication may not have a significant preventive effect.
According to a report by *ABC News*, the study observed nearly 45,000 patients who had suffered heart attacks or had coronary artery disease. It found that those taking beta-blockers did not experience a significant reduction in the rates of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiac-related deaths.
Dr. Randal Thomas, a cardiovascular specialist at the Mayo Clinic, stated that the study's findings pose a major challenge to the medical community. The results completely overturn the role beta-blockers have played over the past few decades and are bound to spark controversy in the field.
Previously, it was believed that beta-blockers could prevent recurrence in patients who had suffered only one heart attack and could help with certain types of heart failure. Other studies suggested that long-term use of beta-blockers might be beneficial, leading many doctors to prescribe them indefinitely.
However, beta-blockers may have been overused in many patients, exposing them to unnecessary side effects. Researchers noted that while the study does not entirely dismiss their necessity, it does open a new path for further investigation in the medical field.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E9……4% A1% E6% 95% 88- 053212633. html
Preventing Heart Attacks: Beta-Blockers May be Ineffective
Beta-blockers have been used in medicine for years to prevent sudden attacks in heart disease patients. However, a recent joint study published in the *Journal of the American Medical Association* suggests that this medication may not have a significant preventive effect.
According to a report by *ABC News*, the study observed nearly 45,000 patients who had suffered heart attacks or had coronary artery disease. It found that those taking beta-blockers did not experience a significant reduction in the rates of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiac-related deaths.
Dr. Randal Thomas, a cardiovascular specialist at the Mayo Clinic, stated that the study's findings pose a major challenge to the medical community. The results completely overturn the role beta-blockers have played over the past few decades and are bound to spark controversy in the field.
Previously, it was believed that beta-blockers could prevent recurrence in patients who had suffered only one heart attack and could help with certain types of heart failure. Other studies suggested that long-term use of beta-blockers might be beneficial, leading many doctors to prescribe them indefinitely.
However, beta-blockers may have been overused in many patients, exposing them to unnecessary side effects. Researchers noted that while the study does not entirely dismiss their necessity, it does open a new path for further investigation in the medical field.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E9……4% A1% E6% 95% 88- 053212633. html