Beta blocker fears revealed by study (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Beta blocker fears revealed by study

1:30am Wednesday 12th September 2007 in

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Some GPs over-estimate adverse risks associated with the use of beta blockers in the fight against heart disease, according to a study based in Bradford.

The report was launched today at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester.

Beta blockers are known to reduce deaths and hospitalisation in patients with heart failure. But, despite national evidence-based guidance, the prescribing of beta blockers to treat heart failure in the UK is low.

Pharmacist Dr Duncan Petty, from the University of Leeds, led the research and said: "The study assessed GPs' knowledge of beta blockers through a questionnaire and found that, although GPs were aware of the scale of the benefits, they tended to over-estimate adverse effects compared to placebo "The harmful effects of beta blockers in patients with heart failure who do not have contraindications are small. However, the benefits are high, as are those for ACE-inhibitor drugs that are also used to treat heart failure."

The study also showed that GPs tended to understand the relative risks and benefits in the treatment of heart failure, indicating that lack of knowledge is not the barrier to under-prescribing.

Dr Petty said: "Pharmacists have a lot of expert advice to offer and want to work with GPs on issues like this, to ensure that patients receive the highest possible standards of care and treatment.

"We know these drugs save lives, so we need to conduct more research to determine why the prescribing rate of beta blockers for heart failure is exceptionally low in the UK."