Diabetes and Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers interfere with nerve signals that cause the heart to beat fast and hard. (In fact, performers with stage fright sometimes take beta-blockers to help them deal with anxiety.) Beta-blockers also cause blood vessels to dilate, or widen, which further lowers pressure.

Beta-blockers (sometimes called beta-adrenergic blockers) cover up some symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as a racing heartbeat, which would allow a period of low blood sugar to go unnoticed. Other possible side effects include insomnia, fatigue, cold extremities, and erectile dysfunction. Infants born to women who used beta-blockers during pregnancy frequently have medical problems, including low blood sugar.

ACE inhibitors affect both blood pressure and insulin levels. Continue to the next section for more details on this type of medication.

For more information on diabetes, and its effect on blood pressure and heart ailments, try the following links:

  • Diabetes and Heart Disease explains the relationship between these two conditions.
  • Read Hypoglycemia to learn about this condition and how to avoid it.
  • Diabetes Symptoms covers the diverse signs of the disease, from increased thirst and hunger to sudden weight loss.
  • To learn more about diabetes in general, including diagnosis, causes, symptoms, and treatment, visit our main Diabetes page.
  • For more information on medications that treat hypertension, read Blood Pressure Medications.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.