Beta Blockers helpful in Heart Failure

There was long standing concern that the beta blockers used for heart failure could worsen heart failure. This has been proved wrong by a first large-scale study using the heart drug carvedilol in patients with advanced heart failure. This study was halted more than a year early because the results showed a significant reduction in the risk of death.

The preliminary findings could quell long-standing concerns that beta blockers can worsen heart failure.

The drug, a type of beta blocker, helps reduce the heart's workload. It is approved only for patients with minor or moderate heart problems.

Heart failure involves a damaged or overworked heart that cannot pump efficiently.

More than 2,200 patients in over a dozen countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and France, were involved in the study which began in 1997.

Carvedilol, whose brand name is Coreg, is marketed by SmithKline Beecham.