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Key TakeawaysBeta blockers are typically prescribed to treat heart failure.But more recently, they’re being prescribed off-label to treat symptoms of anxiety.Beta blockers could be a short-term treatment option to alleviate the physical symptoms of anxiety.

Key Takeaways

Beta blockers are typically prescribed to treat heart failure.But more recently, they’re being prescribed off-label to treat symptoms of anxiety.Beta blockers could be a short-term treatment option to alleviate the physical symptoms of anxiety.

For anyone who’s experienced the bodily takeover when a wave ofanxietyhits—the racing heart, sweaty palms, and tight chest—relief can’t come soon enough. So, when celebrities like Khloe Kardashian talk about popping a beta blocker—a drug typically prescribed to treat heart failure—when feeling anxious, public interest rises.

Beta blockers are a class of medication that prevents adrenaline from affecting your heart, effectively relaxing it and your blood vessels. This keeps the heart from racing and can lower your blood pressure.

Clinical pharmacistCurtis Alexander, PharmD, who works in a neurology clinic, cites a few reasons for beta blockers' recent rise in popularity, including fewer side effects than other anti-anxiety meds, less risk ofdependence, and lower price point. Here’s what you need to know.

Beta Blockers and Anxiety

Because beta blockers are typically prescribed to manage irregular heart rhythms and treat high blood pressure when other drugs haven’t worked,it’s easy to understand how they could help manage anxiety symptoms.

Sarah Gupta, MDFor many people, beta blockers do a really good job of blocking the physical symptoms of anxiety… And a lot of the time, just dialing down the physical symptoms can be enough to get anxiety under control.

Sarah Gupta, MD

For many people, beta blockers do a really good job of blocking the physical symptoms of anxiety… And a lot of the time, just dialing down the physical symptoms can be enough to get anxiety under control.

“For many people, beta blockers do a really good job of blocking the physical symptoms of anxiety like a racing heart, sweating, or tremors,” says psychiatristSarah Gupta, MD. “And a lot of the time, just dialing down the physical symptoms can be enough to get anxiety under control.”

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To determine the best medication fit for his patients, psychiatristAlex Dimitriu, MD, groups symptoms of anxiety into two categories.

“I always ask my patients if they feel anxiety more in the mind—rumination, catastrophic thoughts, worry—or the body—racing heart, tight chest, shortness of breath, tremor,” Dimitriu says. “More globally it should be recognized that either beta blockers or other medication such as Xanax or Klonopin are patches. If someone needs a patch too often, it might be better to take something that works all the time, usually SSRIs.”

While beta blockers won’t treat the psychological symptoms of anxiety, for short-term and situational anxiety they can be a solid option. In these scenarios, the drug can be useful for people who want an as-needed medication to treat their symptoms, whereasbenzodiazepineslike Xanax or Ativan are more commonly considered rescue medications for anxiety that are associated with greater risks and potential side effects.

Curtis Alexander, PharmDIt’s nice to have an option for people who don’t want to try anxiety medications that may lead to dependence

Curtis Alexander, PharmD

It’s nice to have an option for people who don’t want to try anxiety medications that may lead to dependence

This could be another reason behind the choice in beta blockers. And a review of research published in 2016 even found that using propanolol, a type of beta blocker, in the short term had similar effects to benzodiazepines in treating anxiety.

“It’s nice to have an option for people who don’t want to try anxiety medications that may lead to dependence,” Alexander says.

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Understanding the Risks

It’s important to keep in mind that beta blockers don’t come without their own risks. Taking a beta blocker can result in low blood pressure and a slow heartbeat, so they’re not recommended for individuals with heart problems. They’ve also been known to worsen asthma symptoms or even trigger attacks, and they can make exercise much more difficult, Dimitriu notes.

Some other common side effects include fatigue, cold hands or feet, and weight gain. Less common side effects include shortness of breath, depression, and difficulty sleeping. People with diabetes that take beta blockers are also recommended to regularly check their blood sugar, as this medication can prohibit the signs of low blood sugar, like a rapid heart beat.

What This Means For YouIf you experience more physical, short-term symptoms of anxiety, beta blockers may work for you. As always, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to determine whether they’re a good fit.

What This Means For You

If you experience more physical, short-term symptoms of anxiety, beta blockers may work for you. As always, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to determine whether they’re a good fit.

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3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mayo Clinic.Beta blockers.Hayhoe B, Lee-Davey J.Tackling benzodiazepine misuse.BMJ. 2018;362:k3208. doi:10.1136/bmj.k3208Steenen SA, van Wijk AJ, van der Heijden GJ, van Westrhenen R, de Lange J, de Jongh A.Propranolol for the treatment of anxiety disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis.J Psychopharmacol. 2016;30(2):128-139. doi:10.1177/0269881115612236

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mayo Clinic.Beta blockers.Hayhoe B, Lee-Davey J.Tackling benzodiazepine misuse.BMJ. 2018;362:k3208. doi:10.1136/bmj.k3208Steenen SA, van Wijk AJ, van der Heijden GJ, van Westrhenen R, de Lange J, de Jongh A.Propranolol for the treatment of anxiety disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis.J Psychopharmacol. 2016;30(2):128-139. doi:10.1177/0269881115612236

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Mayo Clinic.Beta blockers.Hayhoe B, Lee-Davey J.Tackling benzodiazepine misuse.BMJ. 2018;362:k3208. doi:10.1136/bmj.k3208Steenen SA, van Wijk AJ, van der Heijden GJ, van Westrhenen R, de Lange J, de Jongh A.Propranolol for the treatment of anxiety disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis.J Psychopharmacol. 2016;30(2):128-139. doi:10.1177/0269881115612236

Mayo Clinic.Beta blockers.

Hayhoe B, Lee-Davey J.Tackling benzodiazepine misuse.BMJ. 2018;362:k3208. doi:10.1136/bmj.k3208

Steenen SA, van Wijk AJ, van der Heijden GJ, van Westrhenen R, de Lange J, de Jongh A.Propranolol for the treatment of anxiety disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis.J Psychopharmacol. 2016;30(2):128-139. doi:10.1177/0269881115612236

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