Beta Blockers for Angina

We previously talked about beta blockers (-olol drugs) specifically for hypertension and tachycardia. They are also used prophylactically for angina. They decrease the heart rate, decrease cardiac work load and decrease cardiac oxygen demand.

Special note: A low dose is administered for angina and abrupt withdrawal actually exacerbates cardiac ischemia.

Agent Examples:

• Atenolol (Tenormin) – p.o.
• Propranolol (Inderal) – p.o.
• Nadolol (Corgard) – p.o.