Atenolol (
Tenormin®) is a prescription medicine licensed to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. Many healthcare providers prescribe this drug for the treatment of
high blood pressure, although many people also use it for chest pain.
Atenolol is part of a class of drugs called
beta blockers. It helps to block a specific type of beta receptor called beta-1 receptors. By blocking beta-1 receptors, the medication decreases heart rate,
systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and the workload of the heart. This means that the heart requires less blood and oxygen to work properly.
Angina is a type of
heart disease that occurs when the heart muscle is not getting enough nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood for a short period of time. The inadequate blood flow is caused by narrowed coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). Chest pain is the most common
angina symptom that occurs.
Atenolol is effective at treating
symptoms of angina because it decreases the workload of the heart. This, in turn, means that the heart needs less oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to function properly at any given level of effort. Atenolol does not cure this type of
heart disease.
(Click Atenolol for more details about using atenolol for chest pain, to learn about the other effects of this medication, and for dosing information for the drug.)
HealthSavvy Sign In
|