Newsletters
A major study presented at the 2025 European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid and published in the European Heart Journal has raised concerns about the routine use of beta-blockers in heart attack survivors.
The research, part of the REBOOT trial, analyzed data from 8,505 patients across 109 hospitals in Spain and Italy and found that women with preserved heart function may face a higher risk of death when treated with these drugs.
Beta-blockers have been a cornerstone of post-heart attack therapy for decades, reducing the heart’s workload and helping prevent further cardiac events. In the U.K. alone, around 60,000 patients receive these medications each year, with many continuing them for life. Despite their widespread use, beta-blockers can cause side effects such as fatigue and nausea.
The study revealed that women treated with beta-blockers had a 2.7% higher absolute risk of mortality compared with women who were not on the medication over an average follow-up of 3.7 years. They were also more likely to experience recurrent heart attacks or hospitalizations for heart failure. Men did not show this increased risk. Among patients with reduced heart function, beta-blockers continued to show benefits, suggesting their effectiveness may be limited to specific patient groups.
Experts say the findings underscore the need for a more personalized approach to post-heart attack care. “This study highlights that a one-size-fits-all prescription of beta-blockers may not be appropriate, especially for women with preserved cardiac function,” said Dr. Maria Lopez, a cardiologist involved in the trial.
Researchers recommend that doctors carefully weigh the benefits and potential risks of beta-blocker therapy in each patient and consider alternatives or adjusted dosages where appropriate. The study is expected to spark discussions on revising current guidelines and ensuring treatment is tailored to individual patient characteristics, including gender and heart function.
1 min read
