Rational use of beta blockers - Linda Bryant

Date Published: 
Monday, May 22, 2017
Duration: 
28:56
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Dr Linda Bryant talks about the rational use of beta blockers in primary care. Linda is a Clinical Advisory Pharmacist working part time in a general practice and teaching postgraduate clinical pharmacy. Linda’s PhD investigated clinical medication reviews in primary care and she has advocated strongly for the role of independent clinical pharmacists in PHOs and general practice.

  

Topics:

  • the place for beta blockers in hypertension
  • what to use instead of beta blockers
  • when to use a beta blocker
  • when it makes sense to use spironolactone
  • differences in beta blockers with regard to selectivity
  • use of beta blockers with post-acute myocardial infarction
  • considerations when stopping beta blockers
  • role of beta blockers in angina
  • assessing that patient is fully beta blocked
  • role of beta blockers in heart failure, including which to choose
  • role of beta blockers in atrial fibrillation

 

Take home messages

  • For hypertension use beta blockers as 4th line - first choice treatments for hypertension with no additional complications; ACE inhibitors, channel blockers and thiazides.
  • For post- MI without heart failure, angina or AF - titrate down slowly after 12 months of therapy.
  • For heart failure - use beta blocker, titrate dose slowly up as far as you can (for people with reduced ejection fraction).
  • For atrial fibrillation - use a beta blocker.
  • Useful beta blocker: bisoprolol.

Clinician Resources

Patient Resources

  

Presenter

Dr Linda Bryant
Clinical Advisory Pharmacist

To contact Linda Click here.

 

  

Recognition of Learning Activities

Complete and submit the learning reflection form for CPD/MOPS points provided by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners below for recognition of learning activities.

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