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Weight Gain And Weight Management Concers For Patients On Beta-Blockers, Linda S. Lamont Ph.D.

Linda S. Lamont Ph.D.

Beta blocking medications are first line therapy for young patients with uncomplicated hypertension. They are also prescribed to 55 to 80% of those discharged from the hospital with a heart attack. These drugs are known to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but they also have metabolic side effects. One that is not widely recognized is that these drugs cause a decrease in resting metabolic rate, and taking these medications may result in a small weight gain.