††††Beta-blockers belong to a group of drugs which stimulates certain nerves that serve the heart muscles. They reduce the heart rate and the force of the heart's circulation. This in turn reduces the amount of oxygen (and therefore of blood) required by the heart.
Beta-blockers have been misused by some sportsmen and women, and are now banned for use in sports. They may be useful, though, in treating certain diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
