Beta-blocker medicines slow the heart rate and decrease how
forcefully the heart contracts, reducing the amount of oxygen the heart needs
to work. Beta-blockers are often used to treat heart conditions, including high
blood pressure, heart failure, fast or irregular heart rates, and mitral valve
prolapse, and to help decrease or prevent chest pain.
Beta-blockers are also used for migraine headaches, social anxiety
disorder, glaucoma, and a common type of movement disorder called essential
tremor.
