Beta blockers in the treatment of angina pectoris

A large number of studies have shown that beta-blockers are useful in the treatment of angina pectoris. Favorable effects of beta blockers are decreased heart rate, contractility and wall tension, the three main causes of myocardial oxygen consumption. Beta-blockers also favorably affect myocardial oxygen supply/demand balance by prolongation of the total duration of diastole. In addition, beta-blockers may promote redistribution of coronary blood flow toward the endocardium and ischemic areas. Beta-blockers are standard therapy for patients with stable angina pectoris, silent myocardial ischemia and unstable angina pectoris. In the treatment of all these forms of myocardial ischemia beta-blockers could be used in conjuction with nitrates and calcium antagonists.