What Is the Site of Action for Beta Blocker Drugs?

Beta blocker drugs are commonly used to treat cardiac and other conditions. The efficacy these drugs have in patients are due largely to the fact that they have more than one site of action in the body.

Uses

• Rxlist.com states that beta blockers are used effectively in a variety of ailments including, but not limited to: hypertension, congestive heart failure, angina, migraine headaches, atrial fibrillation, fibromyalgia, anxiety and heart failure.

How do they work?

• These drugs block norepinephrine and epinephrine from binding to receptors. There are three different types of receptors that are located in various parts of the body on which beta blockers focus.

Sites of Action

• Beta blockers are thought to have more than one site of action, primarily the kidneys and heart. They have also been proven to block receptors in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, uterus, vascular smooth and skeletal muscles, as well as in fat cells.

Kidneys

• According to science.jrank.org, beta blockers are scientifically proven to reduce the kidneys' production of renin, an enzyme that is essential for the production of a hormone proven to raise blood pressure.

Arteries

• Arteries are relaxed by beta blockers. They limit the effects of exercise on the heart by allowing blood to flow more easily and quickly, thus resulting in less work for the heart.