Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
31 May 2017 07:48
In heart failure, the heart muscle is damaged and stops working properly
Health experts have questioned the benefits of beta blockers in treating certain heart attack patients.
Researchers at the University of Leeds said patients given beta blockers after suffering a heart attack with heart failure did not benefit.
Helping the heart work
Beta blockers reduce the activity of the heart and lower blood pressure.
They have to be given to heart attack patients who have suffered heart failure. In these patients they help the heart work more effectively.
Heart failure sees the heart muscle suffer damage and fail to work properly. All heart attack patients, whether or not they have also suffered heart failure, are recommended beta blockers.
Researchers looked at how beta blockers benefited those heart attack patients who hadn't also suffered heart failure. Comparing death rates of those treated with beta blockers, they found no statistical difference in over one year of suffering the heart attack.
Anyone who has suffered heart problems can arrange specialist medical travel insurance ahead of a trip overseas.
What the researchers say
Chris Gale, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Leeds and Consultant Cardiologist at York Teaching Hospital Trust, said: "There is uncertainty in the evidence as to the benefit of beta-blockers for patients with heart attack and who do not have heart failure.
"This study suggests that there may be no mortality advantage associated with the prescription of beta blockers for patients with heart attack and no heart failure."
The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
19 May 2018
A recent study in Taiwan has revealed that heart attacks occur more frequently in cold weather - with the figure increasing "dramatically" when the temperature drops below 15C (59F).
[more...]
18 May 2018
A team of scientists have managed to successfully conduct a "memory transplant" between snails by transferring RNA, a form of genetic information, from one snail to another.
17 May 2018
A new study has found that certain types of exercise do not prevent the onset or worsening of dementia and may even contribute to further cognitive impairment.
16 May 2018
The average British child has visited four European cities and been on three long-haul holidays as well as skiing twice - all before their 10th birthday.
15 May 2018
Ethiopian Airlines has unveiled a new "landmark" route from Manchester Airport to the north African city of Ethiopia.
12 May 2018
Health experts have expressed concern at recent outbreaks of measles across England.
Cinema drinks contain "unacceptable" levels of bacteria
10 May 2018
The HPV vaccine offered to teenage girls has proved to be safe and effective in preventing the virus that causes cervical cancer, an independent review has revealed.
09 May 2018
A new blood test for detecting peanut allergies is said to be more cost-efficient and less risky than previously-used methods.
A recent study suggests that women with a high weekly fast food consumption and who don't eat enough fruit are more likely to have trouble conceiving.
04 May 2018
One of the main treatments prescribed for eczema in children has proven to be ineffective as treatment of the condition, a study has found.
03 May 2018
Ninety percent of councils have cut funding for weight management, sexual health and addiction services in a bid to reduce spending, new research has revealed.