Metoprolol is a commonly used β blocker, mainly used for the treatment of hypertension, coronary heart disease, angina, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, hyperthyroidism, heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases, it is one of the most important drugs in medicine, widely used in clinical practice.
Metoprolol has a good effect by antagonizing vasoconstriction and myocardial contraction caused by sympathetic nerve excitation, reducing heart rate and blood pressure, and improving myocardial ischemia and angina symptoms.
It can also reduce the mortality rate of patients with myocardial infarction, reduce the rehospitalization rate of patients with heart failure, and improve the quality of life of patients.
The efficacy of metoprolol is related to dosage and individual differences, and needs to be used under the guidance of a doctor. During the medication process, patients need to closely monitor blood pressure, heart rate and other indicators, and adjust the dose in time to avoid adverse reactions.
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01
How does metoprolol affect the sympathetic nerves?
First, we need to understand that the sympathetic nervous system plays a vital role in the human body, and it is responsible for activating our "fight or flight" response in response to stress and emergencies. Metoprolol exerts its pharmacological effects by influencing this reaction.
Metoprolol inhibits sympathetic activity by preventing adrenaline from binding to β receptors. This mechanism slows the heart rate, weakens cardiac contractility, and vasodilation, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
At the same time, due to the inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system, the body's metabolism will also be correspondingly reduced, which helps to reduce the oxygen and energy consumption of the myocardium and reduce the burden on the heart.
In addition, metoprolol further inhibits sympathetic activity by reducing the excitability of the central nervous system. The central nervous system is the "command" of the human body that regulates various physiological functions, and metoprolol can weaken the "commanding ability" of this "command", thereby reducing the tension of the sympathetic nervous system and further protecting the heart from stress and tension.
In addition to the direct effects on the sympathetic nerves, metoprolol can also indirectly affect the activity of the sympathetic nerves by regulating the secretion of some hormones.
For example, it can inhibit the secretion of norepinephrine, one of the main hormones released by the sympathetic nerves. By regulating the secretion of these hormones, metoprolol is able to further enhance the inhibitory effect on the sympathetic nerves.
02
What are the effects of long-term use of "metoprolol" and inhibition of sympathetic nerves on the body?
First of all, since the drug works primarily by inhibiting the sympathetic nerves, long-term use may lead to a gradual adaptation of the body to this state, which reduces the basal metabolic rate.
This can blunt the body's response to certain stressful situations, such as a slower heartbeat and abnormal fluctuations in blood pressure during an emergency.
In addition, long-term use of "metoprolol" may also affect the body's regulation of blood sugar. Since the sympathetic nervous system plays a key role in maintaining blood sugar stability, when it is suppressed, the body's sensitivity to insulin may decrease, resulting in an increase in blood sugar. This is especially detrimental for people with diabetes, who may need to adjust their treatment regimen or increase the dose of their medications.
At the same time, for male patients, long-term use of "metoprolol" may affect sexual function. The sympathetic nerve plays an important role in the process of sexual arousal, so suppressing it may have adverse effects on erectile function in men. This condition may require the patient to seek the advice of a doctor to find other alternative medications or treatments.
Finally, long-term use of "metoprolol" may also have an impact on mental health. Because the drug suppresses the body's stress response, some patients may experience feelings of low mood, anxiety, or depression.
This may be related to the disruption of the balance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, requiring patients to pay attention to their mood changes and seek professional help in a timely manner.
03
Who is best suited to metoprolol?
First of all, metoprolol is a very good option for people with high blood pressure. It is effective in lowering blood pressure and can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events. In addition, for patients with coronary heart disease, metoprolol may also improve myocardial ischemia and reduce the frequency of angina attacks.
Secondly, for some patients who need to treat hyperthyroidism, metoprolol is also a good option. It relieves the patient's symptoms and can reduce the secretion of thyroid hormones.
In addition, for some migraine sufferers, metoprolol can also relieve headaches and prevent migraine attacks. It can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
04
What problems should I pay attention to when taking metoprolol for a long time?
First of all, keep an eye on your heart rate at all times. As a β blocker, the most direct effect of metoprolol is to slow down the heart rate. Therefore, patients need to pay attention to their heart rate changes from time to time during the period of consumption, and if there is a slow heart rate or irregular heartbeat, they need to seek medical attention in time.
Secondly, it is necessary to pay attention to changes in blood sugar, blood lipids and other indicators. Metoprolol may affect the body's regulation of blood sugar, blood lipids and other metabolism, so long-term users need to regularly test relevant indicators in order to adjust the treatment plan in time.
In addition, it is important to pay attention to the feeling of fatigue in the body. Since metoprolol can cause increased fatigue, long-term users need to pay special attention to their physical condition and seek medical attention if they experience significant fatigue.
In addition, for some special populations, such as pregnant women, lactating women, children, the elderly, etc., special caution is required when taking metoprolol. These people need to pay close attention to their physical condition during the period of consumption and seek medical attention in time if there is any abnormal reaction.
Finally, patients who have been taking metoprolol for a long time also need to be aware of drug interactions. Metoprolol may interact with other medications, affect the effectiveness of treatment, or cause adverse effects. Therefore, during the administration, patients need to inform their doctor of all the medications they are taking, so that the doctor can better guide the medication.