Some GPs over-estimate adverse risks associated with the use of beta blocker drugs for heart disease

Some General Practitioners (GPs) over-estimate adverse risks associated with the use of beta blocker drugs in the fight against heart disease, according to research launched today at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

Beta blockers are known to reduce deaths and hospitalisation in patients with heart failure.(1) But despite national evidence-based guidance(2), the prescribing of beta blockers to treat heart failure in the UK is low.

Pharmacist Dr Duncan Petty from the University of Leeds led the research and said: "The study assessed GPs' knowledge of beta blockers through a questionnaire, and found that although GPs were aware of the scale of the benefits, they tended to over-estimate adverse effects compared to placebo.

"The harmful effects of beta blockers in patients with heart failure who do not have contraindications are small. However, the benefits are high, as are those for ACE-inhibitor drugs that are also used to treat heart failure."

The study, based in Bradford, also showed that GPs tended to understand the relative risks and benefits in the treatment of heart failure, indicating that lack of knowledge is not the barrier to under-prescribing.

Dr Petty said: "Pharmacists have a lot of expert advice to offer and want to work with GPs on issues like this, to ensure that patients receive the highest possible standards of care and treatment.

"We know these drugs can save lives, so we need to conduct more research to determine why the prescribing rate of beta-blockers for heart failure is exceptionally low in the UK.(3)"

References

(1). Bouzamondo A, Hulot J, Sanchez P, Lechat P. Beta-blocker benefits according to severity of heart failure. European Journal of Heart Failure. 2003;5:281-289.

(2). Ko DT, Hebert PR, Coffey CS, Curtis JP, et al. Adverse effects of beta-blocker therapy for patients with heart failure: a quantitative overview of randomized trials. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(13):1389-94.

(3). Leslie SJ, McKee SP, Imray EA, Denvir MA. Management of chronic heart failure: perceived needs of general practitioners in light of the new general medical services contract. Postgrad Med J. 2005 May; 81(955):321-6.

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