Spanish researchers revealed that beta blockers, commonly prescribed to most heart attack patients, may not reduce the risk of death or recurrent heart attacks but may actually increase it in a specific group of patients.

These pills are given daily to most heart attack survivors despite common side effects such as fatigue, nausea, and even sexual dysfunction.

The study, which involved 8,505 adults across 109 Spanish hospitals, found no significant difference in death rates from any cause, recurrent heart attacks, or hospital admissions for heart failure between patients treated with beta blockers and those who were not over approximately four years.

However, data analysis of women showed that those taking beta blockers were more likely to suffer another heart attack or be hospitalized for heart failure, with a 2.7% increased risk of death compared to women not receiving the treatment.

Dr. Valentín Fuster, General Director of the National Center for Cardiovascular Research in Madrid, said: “These results will reshape all international clinical guidelines on beta blocker use and will encourage adopting a gender-specific therapeutic approach, which has long been awaited.”

He added: “We found no benefit in using beta blockers for patients who maintained normal cardiac function after a heart attack, despite this treatment being standard for about 40 years.”

Dr. Borja Ibáñez, Scientific Director of the center and a study participant, explained that beta blockers were previously added to standard treatment because they significantly reduced mortality. With the advancement of modern treatments, such as rapid reopening of coronary arteries, the need for beta blockers has diminished, and their effect is limited compared to new therapies.

Other experts have previously noted that beta blockers are no longer the first choice for treating high blood pressure, as newer drugs like angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have proven more effective in preventing heart and brain strokes.

The results were published in the European Heart Journal and presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Madrid.