Beta Blockers - how do they work?

Doctors prescribe beta blockers to people who are prone to cardiovascular disease.

What is a beta blocker and how does it work to reduce your risk?

To understand this, we need to delve into the action of a hormone called epinephrine. Epinephrine is a stimulant that your body produces when it wants you to act.

So if you were crossing the road while traffic was rushing by, in a chaotic city, your body would release epinephrine.

It would act by binding onto something known as the A1, B1 and B2 receptors. A1 receptors are present in your arteries, B1 receptors are present in your heart, and B2 receptors are present in your lungs.

The stimulate acts on your arteries to increase blood flow, your heart to pump harder and your lungs to pump more oxygen.You have now prepared your body to act swiftly, lest a careless driver run you over.

So why would we take medicines to block all of these things from occurring?

Surely, it is in our interest not to be a guinea pig to test the air bags in a fancy car. One of the side effects of stimulating your arteries, heart and lung is an increase in blood pressure. Were this to occur for the brief moment as you crossed fifth avenue, you would be fine.

But for many people, the rush of blood and resulant increase in blood pressure becomes a daily affair. In such case we need to slow things down, hence the beta blockers.

Medication that act as beta blockers then work as antagonists. They negate the effects of the epinephrine and slow your your lungs and heart and open (dilate) your arteries to allow fluid to flow more easily.

Your blood pressure comes down, reducing your cardiovascular risk.

So why cant you do this on your own without medicine?

A change in lifestyle, which includes enhanced sleep, more exercise, enhanced nutrition and a reduction in stress could potentially act as an antagonist.

Whether you rely on lifestyle or medicine would depend on the gravity of your issue and the advice of the Doctor.

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