Beta-blokatori (β-B) imaju veliko značenje u liječenju kardiovaskularnih bolesti zbog svoje sposobnosti blokiranja nepovoljnoga neurohumoralnog učinka vrlo složene β-adrenergične stimulacije. Od otkrića propranolola, 1964. g., stvoreno je više farmakološki različitih β-B. β-B imaju antiishemijska svojstva i rabe se u svim stadijima ishemijske bolesti srca, s izuzetkom vazospastične angine pektoris. Produžavaju život u bolesnika nakon preboljelog infarkta miokarda i imaju posebno povoljan učinak na ishod u bolesnika sa zatajivanjem srca (ZS), stoga su trenutačno jedna od temeljnih skupina lijekova u terapiji ZS-a. Imaju antiaritmijska svojstva i služe za uobičajenu kontrolu frekvencije klijetki u bolesnika s kroničnom fibrilacijom atrija. Indicirani su u liječenju arterijske hipertenzije, posebno uzimajući u obzir određena pridružena klinička stanja. Rabe se u liječenju bolesnika s opstruktivnom kardiomiopatijom, prolapsom mitralnog zalistka, disekcijom aorte, Marfanovim sindromom, Fallotovom tetralogijom, a i u nekih nekardiovaskularnih bolesti (npr. migrena, esencijalni tremor, glaukom). Ispravno primijenjeni β-B su sigurni lijekovi, dokazano iznimno vrijedni i korisni u mnogim segmentima kardiovaskularnog kontinuuma.Beta blockers (β-B) have an important role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases because of their ability to block adverse neurohumoral effect of very complex β-adrenergic stimulation. Since the discovery of propranolol in 1964, more pharmacologically different β-B have been discovered. β-B have anti-ischemic properties and are used in all stages of ischemic heart disease, with the exception of vasospastic angina pectoris. They prolong life in patients after myocardial infarction and they have particularly beneficial effect on the outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). They are, therefore, one of the main classes of drugs in the treatment of HF. They have antiarrhythmic properties and are used as a common treatment to control ventricular frequency in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. They are indicated in the treatment of arterial hypertension, especially taking into account certain associated clinical conditions. They are used in the treatment of patients with obstructive cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse, aortic dissection, Marfan syndrome, tetralogy of Fallot, and are also used in some non-cardiovascular diseases (e.g. migraine, essential tremor, glaucoma). When properly used β-B are safe drugs and have proved extremely valuable and useful in many segments of the cardiovascular continuum
