Sub optimal provision of beta blockers by GPs is potentially driving poor heart rate (HR) control among heart failure (HF) patients, Australian research suggests.
Longitudinal data extracted from the GP Research Network in 9225 patients with HF, found less than half of those with HF received a beta blocker and, of them only around one third were at target dose.
In patients with a HR of 70 bpm or under, 38% were at a target dose of beta blockers compared with 33% with a HR over 70 bpm.
Patients with HR over 70 bpm were more likely to be older, female and less likely to be receiving beta blockers, ACE-inhibitors or ARBs.
Lead author, Professor Henry Krum, director of the Monash Centre of Cardiovascular Research and Education in Therapeutics at Monash University, said: “This underutilisation appears to be contributory to more than half the patients having a HR over 70 bpm, with its attendant increase in risk of cardiovascular events.”