Post myocardial infarction use of β-blockers

The use of β-blockers after myocardial infarction was investigated in 100 patients (age range 30–89 years), from January to December 1997, in Caerphilly District Miner’s Hospital. Out of 54 patients eligible for β-blockers only 27 (27/54 (50%)) patients received such therapy. We conclude that β-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 β-blockers in this population.