Last week, we covered a provocative new study on the use of beta blockers a class of drugs long used to treat hypertension, heart failure, angina, and abnormal heart rhythms. The research found that, despite being standard of care, beta blockers may not, in fact, reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or death in these patients.
ACSH s Dr. Josh Bloom calls the discovery pretty damning in his recent op-ed featured in Medical Progress Today.
It is very unusual when an old, well-established class of drugs is suddenly shown to be less effective than previously thought. Or even useless. But according to a large study in the October 3 JAMA, this may very well be the case with beta-blockers, a staple of heart and blood pressure treatment since the 1970s.
To read Dr. Bloom s op-ed in its entirety click here.