In a nutshell
This paper studied the effect of beta-blocker therapy in patients with high blood pressure and untreated sleep apnea. The authors found that beta blockers reduce the increased heart rate caused by sleep apnea.
Some background
Beta-blockers are a group of drugs that are used in the treatment of heart disease. They reduce blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Sleep apnea occurs when breathing repeatedly stops and starts again during sleep. Sleep apnea can cause the heart rate to fluctuate. It is suggested that the effect of beta-blockers could be affected by sleep apnea.
Methods & findings
88 patients with high blood pressure were studied. 56 patients received beta-blockers while 32 patients had never received beta-blockers. The heart rate was measured in all patients while sleeping.
The average heart rate was comparable between patients who received beta-blockers and patients who did not receive beta-blockers.
There were some differences in the response of the heart to sleep apnea. The increase in heart rate from sleep apnea was reduced in patients who received beta-blockers compared to patients who did not receive beta-blockers. However, patients who did not receive beta-blockers had more evident slowing of heart rate.
The occurrence of heart disturbances was comparable between both groups of patients.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that beta-blockers do not add to the slowing of heart rate induced by sleep apnea. However, they reduce the increased heart rate induced by sleep apnea.
The fine print
There was a small number of patients studied.
Published By :
International Journal of Cardiology
Date :
Jan 01, 2016
