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Every parent’s heart sinks when they receive the dreaded note from school warning about head lice. Don’t worry – Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy in Donabate is here to to give us advice and tips. The first thing to do is to check the child’s head. You will need some tea tree conditioner, a... Read more >

Are You SunSmart?

We ask Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy Donabate how to make the most of great sunny summer days whilst protecting our skin from harmful rays. Jane says “The Irish Cancer Society SunSmart program has great guidelines to keep us safe. See below for some useful tips and advice” Ways to protect your skin: Shade... Read more >

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes… Talk to Jane Brennan, your Hay Fever Expert in Donabate Are your eyes itchy, red or watery? Is your throat scratchy? Are you sneezing? Do you have itchy ears, nose or mouth? Do you have a blocked or runny nose? Do you wake up feeling exhausted? Hay fever can cause... Read more >

Bringing you the best health advice for your family

NHS Choices - Uses of beta-blockers

(03/07/2014)

Beta-blockers block the action of hormones like adrenaline in certain parts of the body.

Angina

Beta-blockers are particularly important for people with angina (chest pain caused by narrowing of the arteries to the heart), or for those who have had a heart attack.

They slow the heart down, help it pump more effectively and give it more time to receive its own blood supply. It helps prevent angina attacks and reduces your risk of having another heart attack if you've already had one.

Rhythm problems

Beta-blockers can also control irregular heartbeats by blocking or slowing the electrical nerve impulses that stimulate the heart.

This decreases the activity of the heart, and can also slow heart rate and prevent rhythm problems, such as atrial fibrillation.

Heart failure

Beta-blockers are also commonly used to treat heart failure. They help the heart pump more strongly and efficiently, and they also reduce rhythm problems. Patients then feel better and live longer.

Read more about the uses of beta-blockers.

Other uses

Beta-blockers are also sometimes used to prevent migraine or treat:

Back to Beta-blockers

Health Advice