Does propranolol lower heart rate
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Propranolol and Its Effect on Heart Rate
Introduction to Propranolol and Heart Rate Reduction
Propranolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, is widely used in clinical settings to manage various cardiovascular conditions. One of its primary effects is the reduction of heart rate, which has been demonstrated across multiple studies involving different patient populations and conditions.
Propranolol's Efficacy in Reducing Heart Rate in Burn Patients
In a study involving severely burned children, propranolol was shown to significantly decrease heart rate. The study found that an initial dose of 1 mg/kg per day reduced heart rate by 15% compared to control patients. To sustain this effect, the dose was increased to 4 mg/kg per day within the first 10 days. This reduction in heart rate was achieved without adverse effects on mean arterial pressure (MAP), indicating the drug's efficacy and safety in this context.
Comparative Effects of Propranolol and Ivabradine
A comparative study between propranolol and ivabradine, a selective heart rate-lowering agent, demonstrated that both drugs similarly decreased heart rate at rest and during exercise. Propranolol, administered at a dose of 40 mg, effectively reduced heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand without significantly depressing cardiac function. This highlights propranolol's role as a potent heart rate-lowering agent comparable to other specialized medications.
Propranolol in Hypertension and Heart Rate Management
In patients with moderately severe arterial hypertension, propranolol at a dose of 120 mg daily was found to lower heart rate, although its effect on arterial pressure was less pronounced compared to chlorthalidone. This suggests that while propranolol is effective in reducing heart rate, its impact on blood pressure may require combination therapy for optimal results.
Propranolol's Role in Managing Thyroxine-Induced Tachycardia
Research on rats treated with large doses of thyroxine (T4) showed that propranolol effectively lowered heart rate despite the metabolic changes induced by T4. This indicates that propranolol can counteract the tachycardia associated with hyperthyroid conditions.
Propranolol in Acute Myocardial Infarction
In patients with acute myocardial infarction, propranolol administered intravenously significantly reduced heart rate from 100 to 79 beats per minute within 30 minutes. This reduction was accompanied by a decrease in mean arterial pressure and cardiac output, demonstrating propranolol's rapid and effective heart rate-lowering properties in acute settings.
Long-Term Use of Propranolol in Burned Children
A study on the prolonged use of propranolol in burned children showed that the drug could safely reduce heart rate and cardiac work over a 10-day period. The treatment resulted in a 10-13% reduction in heart rate without significant adverse effects, confirming the drug's long-term efficacy and safety in pediatric burn patients.
Propranolol in Portal Hypertension
Propranolol has also been studied for its effects on portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients. Continuous oral administration of propranolol, which reduced heart rate by 25%, led to a sustained decrease in portal venous pressure. This reduction in heart rate and portal pressure may help prevent complications such as variceal bleeding in these patients .
Propranolol in Congestive Heart Failure in Infants
In infants with congenital heart disease and congestive heart failure, propranolol added to standard therapy with digoxin and diuretics significantly reduced heart rate and improved clinical symptoms. The study reported a decrease in mean heart rate from 142 to 118 beats per minute, highlighting propranolol's effectiveness in managing heart failure symptoms in this vulnerable population.
Propranolol in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
For patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), low-dose propranolol (20 mg) was found to significantly reduce heart rate and improve symptoms. Higher doses (80 mg) further decreased heart rate but did not provide additional symptom relief and could potentially worsen symptoms, suggesting that lower doses may be more beneficial for POTS patients.
Conclusion
Propranolol is a versatile and effective beta-blocker that significantly lowers heart rate across various conditions, including severe burns, hypertension, thyroxine-induced tachycardia, myocardial infarction, portal hypertension, congestive heart failure in infants, and POTS. Its ability to reduce heart rate without major adverse effects makes it a valuable therapeutic option in managing cardiovascular stress and improving patient outcomes.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic