beta blockers..what are they and what effect will they have if too many are taken?

Answer 1

Beta-blockers block the receptors which normally bind epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine. These hormones cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and contractility of the heart. Basically if you have heard of the "fight or flight" response, it relates to the stimulatin of beta receptors.

Beta blockers prevent the heart from becoming overstimulated. This is good for people with heart failure or post myocardial infarction. It gives the heart a rest so that it does not have to work hard when these hormones are released into the bloodstream.

Here is a site about beta blocker overdose.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002578.htm

Answer 2

Beta blockers slow down the heart and lower the blood pressure. They also have an effect on the nervous system and can make you sleepy and calmer. Sometimes beta blockers such as inderal are used for benign tremors. They have even used beta blockers for migraine headaches in the past and studies have been done on people who use beta blockers before a exam or test. They believe they function mentally at a better level and get higher grades on the exams, but that may be coincedental.
I have been on beta blockers for a very long time, I have accidentally taken an extra dose before and it really didnt do much that I noticed. I suppose if you take a whole bottle, it would kill you.
2 yrs ago, I had to wean off of them for a radiofrequency ablation after taking beta blockers for 15 yrs. I weaned over 2 weeks and was shaking like a twig on a tree. I had to get back on them or shake and have a heartbeat of around 120 at rest.

Answer 3

Beta-blocker and what does it do
Beta-blocker is group of drugs that binds to beta-adrenergic receptors. These receptors are parts of our sympathic nervous system and located in almost all of our organs. So, when these receptors binds their ligands, which is epinephrine or nor-epinephrine, they'll generate sympathetic response like increased blood pressure, heart rate, sweat production, etc. Hence, when you use a beta-blocker drug, it'll also bind to those receptors, BUT instead of generating our body's sympathic response, it'll antagonize the effect of those receptor.

Toxic effect
If you're using too much (2-3 times therapeutical dose) beta-blocker (e.g. propranolol), it'll cause, for example, a diminished heart rate and contraction force (bradycardia), leading to hypotension and reduce oxygen delivery to the brain and other organs. These may lead to unconsciousness and seizure. Generally, the toxic effect is an "exaggeration" of the therapeutical effect.

Hope it helps! =)

Answer 4

If you are prescribed beta blockers you must need them for some reason. Talk with your doctor to see if there are other drugs that might treat your condition like calcium channel blockers or ace inhibitors. Do not just stop taking the beta blocker! Your chances of angina or heart attack are greater!

Answer 5

Beta blockers help slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. I have been on them for about 2 years. You should not take too many...only what the doc recommends. My doc says they are pretty safe even if you have to take higher doses. However the more you take the more tired and fatigued you will probably feel.

Answer 6

Beta blockers can lead to slowing down the heart rate, reduce Blood pressure. If taken in high doses it can lead to cardia arrest due to bradycardia (slowing down of heart beat) or Hypotension (BP down)

Answer 7

Beta-blockers reduce heart rate, crdiac output, and blood pressure. Too many will cause bradycardia(slow-heart-rate) and little cardiac output leading to death.

Answer 8

Stop the heart. they block the sympathetive nervous system.

Answer 9

Antidysrhythmic and antihypertensive agents. They will kill you.