Heart HealthMajor Trial Finds Beta Blockers After Heart Attack Offer No Benefit for Most Patients
A major international clinical trial called REBOOT has found that beta blockers — routinely prescribed to millions after heart attacks — provide no meaningful benefit for patients whose heart function remained normal. The study followed 8,505 patients across 109 hospitals in Spain and Italy for nearly four years. Participants assigned to beta blockers showed no significant reduction in death, repeat heart attack, or hospitalization for heart failure compared to those who skipped the drugs. Importantly, women taking beta blockers actually faced a higher risk of these outcomes. Since over 80% of uncomplicated heart attack patients are currently discharged on beta blockers, these findings could trigger a major revision of global cardiology guidelines and reduce unnecessary medication burden for millions.
