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Published on: August 24, 2019
[Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease can benefit from beta-blocker treatment]
Daniel Bech Rasmussen1, Peter Lange, Magnus Thorsten Jensen
1daniel.rasmussen@live.dk.
Insights
Beta-blocker treatment may reduce mortality and COPD exacerbations in patients with both conditions. These heart medications are safe for COPD patients and offer significant health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary heart disease share smoking as a major risk factor.
- Cardiovascular disease is highly prevalent in patients with COPD.
- Cardioselective beta-blockers are often withheld in COPD patients despite proven safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of beta-blocker treatment on mortality and COPD exacerbations.
- To explore the potential benefits of beta-blockers in patients with comorbid COPD and cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies were reviewed.
- Data on mortality and COPD exacerbations in patients using beta-blockers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Beta-blocker treatment was associated with significantly reduced mortality.
- A reduced risk of COPD exacerbations was observed in patients receiving beta-blockers.
Conclusions:
- Beta-blockers are safe and beneficial for COPD patients with cardiovascular disease.
- Potential mechanisms include benefits for heart failure, tachycardia, and airway beta-receptor function.
Abstract:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary heart disease share smoking as the most important common risk factor and there is a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease among COPD patients. Although cardioselective beta-blockers are safe in treatment of COPD, they are often withheld in these patients. In observational studies, beta-blocker treatment is associated with significantly reduced mortality and reduced risk of exacerbations of COPD. This effect may be caused by the beneficial effect of beta-blockers on heart failure, tachycardia and upregulation of beta-receptors in the airways.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...

