Beta blockers
Beta blockers like atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol and similar drugs are prescribed to treat high blood pressure, especially when there is a specific additional reason. Examples include angina (a feeling of tightness in the chest), after a heart attack, heart failure, or when heart rate control is needed.
What do beta blockers block?
Stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline increase blood pressure and heart rate. Beta blockers prevent this by blocking the receptors involved - the so-called beta receptors (beta-1 and beta-2 receptors).
Beta1 receptors are found mainly in the heart. Through them, heart rate and cardiac output increase; after the release of adrenaline or noradrenaline, blood pressure rises.
Beta2 receptors are mainly located in smooth muscle, for example in blood vessels and the airways. When this muscle tightens, the vessels constrict and blood pressure goes up. This is an ancient reaction to prepare the body for fight or flight. In the past this was followed by physical activity (flight or fight), which would reduce the stress hormones. Today that usually doesn't happen, so the tension can remain. Ongoing stress keeps both blood pressure and heart rate elevated.
Here is where beta blockers come in. By blocking these receptors they lower blood pressure and heart rate.Beta blockers also reduce the production of renin, which narrows the blood vessels and thereby raises blood pressure.
You should never stop beta blockers on your own. Sticking to the prescribed treatment (compliance, adherence) is essential to maintain the beneficial effects of beta blockers on blood pressure and the heart. Abruptly stopping them can cause a rapid rise in blood pressure and pulse (rebound phenomenon), dizziness and/or angina. Even the risk of having a heart attack increases again.
Therefore beta blockers should always be tapered off. That means the dose is gradually reduced according to your doctor's instructions.Be careful with alcohol while taking beta blockers. Alcohol can increase both their effects and their side effects.
Exercise is also possible while on beta blocker therapy. However, it should be discussed with your doctor to find a suitable exercise program.
But be careful: In some sports, beta blockers are considered doping substances.
Beta blockers: Side effects
Beta blockers slow the heart rate and often cause tiredness, headaches and gastrointestinal complaints. Some patients develop sleep problems, and men may experience erectile dysfunction.
In patients with asthma, certain beta blockers can lead to life-threatening conditions.
Beta blockers: Medications
There are different types of beta blockers:
- Selective beta blockers that specifically target beta-1 receptors, so they act on the heart, e.g. atenolol, bisoprolol, esmolol and metoprolol, and are particularly suitable for lowering blood pressure
- Nonselective beta blockers that block beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, e.g. carvedilol, pindolol, propranolol and sotalol
- Third-generation beta blockers have additional effects, such as blocking other receptors or regulating heart rhythm, e.g. carvedilol, nebivolol and sotalol
| Wirkstoff | Produkte |
| Atenolol | AteHexal, Atenogamma, Atenolol, Bresben Kombipräparat, Juvental, Nif-Ten Kombipräparat, Nifatenol Kombipräparat, Teneretic Kombipräparat, Tenoretic Kombipräparat, Tenormin, TRI-Normin Kombipräparat |
| Bisoprolol | Biramlo Kombipräparat, Biso Lich, Biso-Henning, Bisobeta, BisoDipin Kombipräparat, Bisogamma, BisoHexal, BisoLich Kombipräparat, Bisoplus Kombipräparat, Bisoprolol, Concor, Jutabis |
| Carvedilol | Carve TAD, Carve-Q, Carvedi-Denk, Carvedigamma, Carvedilol, Dilatrend, Querto |
| Celiprolol | Celipro, Celitin, Selectol |
| Esmolol | Brevibloc, Esmocard, Esmolol |
| Metoprolol | Belnif Kombipräparat, Beloc-Zok, Implicor, Jutabloc, Logimat Kombipräparat, Logimax Kombipräparat, Logroton, Lopresor, Meto-Henning, Meto-Succinat, Meto-Tablinen, Metobeta, Metodura, MetoHexal, Metoprogamma, Metoprolol, Metoprololsuccinat, Metoprololtartrat, Metostad, Mobloc Kombipräparat, Prelis, Seloken |
| Nebivolol | Nebilet, Nebivolol |
| Pindolol | Visken |
| Propranolol | Beta-Turfa Kombipräparat, Dociretic, Dociton, Hemangiol, Inderal, Obsidan, Pertenso, Propra, Propranolol |
| Sotalol | Darob, Renibloc, Sotabeta, Sotagamma, SotaHexal, Sotalex, Sotalol |
Sources:
- https://leitlinien.dgk.org/files/28_2018_pocket_leitlinien_arterielle_hypertonie_aktualisiert.pdf
- https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Betablocker
- https://www.gelbe-liste.de/wirkstoffgruppen/betablocker
- https://www.herzstiftung.de/infos-zu-herzerkrankungen/gerinnungshemmung-und-medikamente/betablocker
- https://www.lifeline.de/medikamente/betablocker-id148708.html
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betablocker
This article is from Tensana – the leading app since 2011, helping hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 12/2025).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
We hope you found the article helpful. For good blood pressure control, it's important to take your medications correctly. Our app Tensana will gladly remind you when to take them.
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