Premium
The cardioprotective role of β‐blockers in patients with diabetes mellitus
Author(s) -
Landray M. J.,
Toescu V.,
Kendall M. J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2710.2002.00419.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , beta (programming language) , adverse effect , randomized controlled trial , adrenergic beta antagonists , intensive care medicine , endocrinology , computer science , propranolol , programming language
Summary This paper reviews the role of β‐blockers in the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. There is good evidence from randomized controlled trials that β‐blockers, in particular the lipophilic agents, substantially reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, hitherto β‐blockers have been underused in diabetic patients, perhaps because of perceived risks of β‐blocker therapy. Reappraisal of the evidence suggests that the traditional reluctance to use β‐blockers in this group is based on fears of adverse effects that are largely unfounded.