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Angina - stable - Management
Who should avoid taking beta-blockers?
- Beta-blockers are contraindicated in people with:
- A history of asthma or bronchospasm (beta-blockers can be used in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but caution should be used if disease is severe).
- Second- or third-degree heart block (in the absence of a permanent pacemaker).
- Sick sinus syndrome.
- Sinus bradycardia (heart rate less than 50 beats per minute at the start of treatment).
- Severe hypotension.
- Severe peripheral arterial disease (pain at rest and sometimes intermittent claudication) — the blood pressure-lowering properties of beta-blockers can exacerbate symptoms.
- Uncontrolled heart failure.
- Seek specialist advice before starting a beta-blocker in people with a current or recent exacerbation of heart failure.
In depth
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