Beta Blocker Therapy in Diabetics

People with types 1 and 2 diabetes are prone to cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Major therapeutic medications are advised for those with diabetes to prevent these conditions. Beta blockers used to be administered to control the cardiovascular complications in diabetes; however, because of dangers of side effects of beta blockers among diabetic patients the medication's use with diabetes patients is highly discouraged.

Indications

• Beta blockers are medications administered to control high blood pressure and arrhythmia. The beta blocker is a proven effective therapeutic medication for post-myocardial infarction. Beta blocker therapies effectively combat harmful stress hormones on the heart and are also prescribed as preventive medicines for chronic migraine headaches.

Implications

• The Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial-Blood Pressure Lowering Arm (ASCOT-BPLA) reported on the implication that beta blockers may be potentially dangerous among diabetics who have blood sugar abnormality. Beta blockers appear to block the counter-regulatory action that takes place when hypotension is present. This prevents a diabetic from identifying the warning signs of hypotension, such as pounding pulse.

  Increasing evidence shows that beta blockers can significantly increase blood sugar levels among diabetics, even though the medication is effective in decreasing the mortality and morbidity rates of cardiovascular disease complications in diabetes. Research conducted by the Imperial College London showed that the administration of beta blockers as treatment to high blood pressure may increase the chances of developing diabetes by 50 percent.

Side Effects

• Common side effects of beta blockers are dizziness, cold hands and feet, weakness, dry mouth and skin, shortness of breath, wheezing, insomnia, fluid retention, and swelling of hands and feet.

  Beta blockers are known for slowing the heart rate, causing patients to feel drowsy or lightheaded. Exercise can become more challenging as patients tend to experience more constricted and shallow breathing.

  Diabetic patients experience the same symptoms mentioned in addition to difficulty managing sugar levels due to the calming effects of beta blockers. When blood sugar levels drop, diabetic patients may have trouble elevating their blood pressure and heart rate--thus the warning signs may not be present.

Warnings

• Diabetic patients already taking beta blockers should not stop the medication abruptly as it increases the risk of having a myocardial infarction. Seek medical advice prior to modifying current treatment of beta blockers in diabetes. Alternative drugs can be used instead of beta blockers, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that provide protection to the kidney and do not increase blood sugar levels in the body.