Med. praxi. 2024;21(2):79-83 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2024.013
Heart rate (HR) is related to a number of diseases, especially cardiovascular (CVD). Every 10 beats/min increases in TF is associated with an 8% increased risk of CV disease. In individuals with hypertension, a resting HR > 80/min is a CV risk factor. According to the new results, nighttime TF is the most sensitive, when the threshold value for the increase in mortality in patients with hypertension is 90/min. b‑blockers can be used to reduce TF in patients with hypertension, while according to current Czech recommendations, b‑blockers are suitable for hypertensive patients with TF ≥75/min. It is possible to administer them in any step of the treatment of hypertension, both in monotherapy and in combinations, and they are recommended in about 150 described clinical situations. TF >75/min is present in up to 30% of hypertensive patients, so it is good to monitor its value and, in indicated cases, include β‑blockers in the treatment. When administering them, there is no need to worry about limiting physical performance, worsening symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or erectile dysfunction. On the contrary, they are beneficial for hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea, migraine, depression/anxiety or postmenopausal women. The described benefit can be achieved with cardioselective β‑blockers. The highest β1-selectivity was demonstrated by bisoprolol, which also has the advantage of metabolic neutrality. Bisoprolol + amlodipine or bisoprolol + perindopril can be used for the recommended fixed double combination treatment. The fixed combination of bisoprolol + perindopril demonstrated an average reduction of blood pressure by 28/14 mmHg and TF by 17/min within 1 month of initiation.
Accepted: April 22, 2024; Published: May 17, 2024 Show citation