National Use and Effectiveness of [beta]-Blockers for the Treatment of Elderly Patients After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Article Abstract:
Many elderly persons who have a heart attack do not receive beta blockers. These drugs have been shown to reduce the risk of a second heart attack. Researchers analyzed beta blocker use in 115,015 elderly patients who had a heart attack in 1994 or 1995. Of the 45,308 who had no contraindication to beta blocker use, only half received a prescription for a beta blocker when they were discharged from the hospital. The rate of beta blocker use varied from 30.3% to 77.1% depending on the state. Rates were highest in New England. One year after discharge, those taking beta blockers had a 14% lower risk of mortality.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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National Use and Effectiveness of [beta]-Blockers for the Treatment of Elderly Patients After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Article Abstract:
Many elderly persons who have a heart attack do not receive beta blockers. These drugs have been shown to reduce the risk of a second heart attack. Researchers analyzed beta blocker use in 115,015 elderly patients who had a heart attack in 1994 or 1995. Of the 45,308 who had no contraindication to beta blocker use, only half received a prescription for a beta blocker when they were discharged from the hospital. The rate of beta blocker use varied from 30.3% to 77.1% depending on the state. Rates were highest in New England. One year after discharge, those taking beta blockers had a 14% lower risk of mortality.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
BEta-blockers after myocardial infarction - for few patients, or many?
Article Abstract:
More research is needed before beta blockers can be recommended to all patients who have had a heart attack regardless of their medical condition. These drugs have been shown to reduce mortality rates in heart attack patients, but most of the patients studied were relatively young and had few other medical conditions. A 1998 study found that even elderly patients and those with other medical conditions might benefit from beta blockers. However, the study did not adequately adjust the data to account for the severity of disease.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1998
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