Beta blockers are drugs that keep the body from absorbing and getting the effects of epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. Some of the effects of epinephrine include:
- Making the heart beat faster and making each beat stronger
- Opening the airways in the lungs
- Increasing blood sugar
Most often, beta blockers are used to treat coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, and migraines.
In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), beta blockers can reduce the number of flare-ups and make them less severe when they do happen. These drugs may work especially well for COPD patients who also have cardiovascular disease.
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