Beta Blockers Increasing Stroke Risk


Posted on May 14, 2008

A study out of Canada is demonstrating that patients who are given blood pressure drugs known as "beta blockers" before surgery are more than one third more likely to die wtihin the month and have double the risk of stroke compared to those who recieve a placebo.  The study, which is the largest of its kind to date, is the latest in a school of thought that believes beta blockers are doing more harm than good.

Beta blockers are designed to stave off the increased blood pressure and heart rate that accompany the anticipation of surgery.  Before surgery, doctors notice an increase in the stress hormone catecholamine.  The beta blocker is supposed to block the effects that increased catecholamine has.  But the study, which used 8,000 patients at 190 hospitals across the world, indicates that they are not meeting that goal.

Dr. P.J. Devereaux, of McMaster University in Ontario authored the study.  He believes that it will stir up some debate among the medical community about whether to administer beta blockers to patients before major surgery.

Read More About Beta Blockers Increasing Stroke Risk...

back to top


Bookmark and Share

©2010 Michael S. Weisberg, P.C., All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission
Attorney website design by Foster Web Marketing, the best attorney website design solution on the Web offering search engine optimization for attorneys, lawyer website design, video for attorneys, and more.
Get SEO Tips from The Attorney Internet Marketing Blog
Virginia personal injury attorney, Norfolk VA nursing home abuse neglect, VA car accident lawyer, Virginia Beach truck crash help, Tidewater medical malpractice, Virginia DUI arrest, Norfolk criminal defense law firm

Served By: A