Dietary supplements – which include herbal medications, vitamins, minerals, amino acid supplements, and dietary substances – have become a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States. Today, approximately one-half of American adults reports using some form of dietary supplements. The purpose of this blog will be to briefly review evidence for common dietary supplements touted for heart health and to provide evidence-based resources for practitioners and patients to utilize.
No Love Lost for Intravenous Labetalol Infusions: Risks of Prolonged Use
Labetalol is a beta blocker with potent antihypertensive effects, and it may be administered orally or intravenously. The latter feature makes it especially useful for the acute management of elevated blood pressure but prolonged infusions can result in hemodynamic collapse. In this entry, two cases are discussed and recommendations are made for the appropriate management of continuous labetalol infusions.
Cocaine and Beta Blockers: All It’s Cracked Up to Be?
Beta blockers remain a cornerstone in the management of several cardiovascular disorders yet many clinicians are reluctant to use them in the setting of cocaine abuse. In this entry, we take a look at the evidence.
Should we be SPRINTing to Lower Blood Pressure Goals in Older Patients?
Recommended blood pressure goals vary among national practice organizations. One area of controversy is the blood pressure goal for older patients. This piece will review the differences in the recommended blood pressure goals as well as data that may enable clinicians to establish an individualized blood pressure goal for their older patients.
Are Dipeptidyl Peptidase (DPP)-4 Inhibitors Safe in Patients with Heart Failure?
Significant focus has been placed on the cardiovascular effects of various treatment options for type 2 diabetes. One topic of concern is the risk of heart failure (HF) associated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. This piece reviews the literature on DDP-4 inhibitor therapy and the risk of HF and HF hospitalization. Suggestions on how to apply the literature to practice are also provided.