β-blocker use in elderly patients with coronary heart disease

摘要

β-blockers are an effective treatment in a variety of cardiovascular disorders in patients of al ages, but are under-used in older people [1]. Here, we review the evidence that β-blockers are an effective treatment in elderly patients with coronary heart disease (focusing particularly on patients with myocardial infarction), outline evidence of under-use and examine why clinicians may be reluctant to prescribe these drugs in subgroups of elderly patients who are likely to benefit.