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Text File  |  1992-09-02  |  507b  |  14 lines
  1. Any of a class of drugs that block impulses
  2. that stimulate certain nerve endings (beta
  3. receptors) serving the heart muscles. 
  4. This reduces the heart rate and the
  5. force of contraction, which in turn reduces
  6. the amount of oxygen (and therefore the blood
  7. supply) required by the heart. Beta-blockers
  8. are banned from use in competitive sports.
  9. They may be useful in the treatment of
  10. angina, arrhythmia, and raised blood
  11. pressure, and following myocardial
  12. infarctions. They must be withdrawn from use
  13. gradually.
  14.