Angina
Angina is a type of
heart disease that occurs when the heart muscle is not getting enough nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood for a short period of time. The inadequate blood flow is caused by narrowed coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). Chest pain is the most common angina symptom that occurs
(see Angina Symptoms).
Propranolol is effective at treating
symptoms of angina and improving exercise tolerance, because it decreases the heart's workload. This, in turn, means that the heart needs less oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to function properly at any given level of effort. However, like with
high blood pressure, Propranolol does not cure this type of
heart disease.
Improving Survival Following a Heart Attack
A
heart attack (also known as a
myocardial infarction) is a life-threatening event in which the supply of blood and oxygen to part of the heart is blocked for a long enough period of time that a portion of the heart muscle dies.
When people are given propranolol after a heart attack, the risk of dying decreases by up to 39 percent. It is not known how propranolol or other beta blockers improve survival following a heart attack.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a type of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that occurs when the electrical system that controls your heartbeat is no longer working properly. This can result in:
- An irregular heartbeat or pulse that is faster than normal
- Heart palpitations (the sensation that your heart is racing or pounding)
- Feeling like your heart is fluttering.
In previous clinical studies, about 70 percent of people taking propranolol for atrial fibrillation were able to maintain a normal heart rhythm while on the drug, resulting in improved symptoms.
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