Reconsidering Long-Term Beta-Blocker Use After Heart Attack

Beta-blocker treatment beyond 1 year after myocardial infarction (MI) for patients without heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction was not associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes in a new analysis of a nationwide cohort of more than 40,000 patients. The study was published online in Heart on May 2. The authors suggest that determining whether beta-blockers are indicated beyond the first year after MI may have an impact on patient health-related quality of life. More evidence from large randomized clinical trials is needed to answer this question.