Beta blockers are a common class of drug given heart patients. What do beta blockers do to blood pressure? Read the answer choices carefully.
O no change in blood pressure
O decrease blood pressure by increasing smooth muscle contraction
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• decrease resting blood pressure by decreasing cardiac output and decreasing vasoconstriction
O increaseresting blood pressure by increasing cardiac output
O increase blood pressure by increasing vascular resistance
• decrease resting blood pressure by decreasing cardiac output and decreasing vasoconstriction
The correct answer is:
• decrease resting blood pressure by decreasing cardiac output and decreasing vasoconstriction
Beta blockers are a class of drugs commonly given to heart patients. They work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the beta receptors in the body. By doing so, they reduce the overall workload on the heart and lower blood pressure. Specifically, beta blockers decrease resting blood pressure by decreasing cardiac output (the amount of blood the heart pumps) and decreasing vasoconstriction (the narrowing of blood vessels).