Post myocardial infarction use of beta-blockers

The use of beta-blockers after myocardial infarction was investigated in 10 0 patients (age range 30-89 years), from January to December 1997, in Caerp hilly District Miner's Hospital. Out of 54 patients eligible for beta-block ers only 27 (27/54 (50%)) patients received such therapy. We conclude that beta-blockers is underused in patients with myocardial infarction. Although the reason for this is not clear from this study, this probably indicates the anxieties clinicians may have about the side effects from the use of be ta-blockers in this population. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.