The Role o f Beta Blockers

I suffered a mild MI in December of 1997 and since have been on vasotec, Plavix and Lipitor.      I have Asthma and take Singulair for that. I do not have high Blood Pressure.
What is the role of Beta Blockers for people who do not have high blood pressure and would I benefit from taking a Beta Blocker.

Also, I have never been on Hormone Replacement Therapy (I am 64).
Am I correct that a recent study has shown that HRT may not be beneficial as a preventive measure for post menopausal women who have already had a heart attack? .......and, in fact may be detremental?

Thankyou,
Jan Carroll

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

You absolutely should be taking a beta-blocker unless you are unable to due to your asthma.  Studies clearly show a benefit of beta-blockers in people who have had an MI and asthma is not the absolute contraindication to beta-blockers it once was thought.  Of course you should discuss this with your doctor before starting a beta-blocker.

The case for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is less clear.  The increased risk for HRT is during the first year of therapy.  So if you have been on it for a least a year there is probably no reason to stop.  The mortality benefits may not be as strong as once thought but there are other beneficial effects such as increased bone density, smoother skin, etc.  Again discuss your options with your doctor.  My current recommendation for patients who have been taking HRT for more than a year, don't smoke, and have no personal or family history of breast cancer is to continue HRT and get yearly PAP smears and mammograms

[cahtrbox]

A related discussion, HRT was started.