Which medication class is commonly prescribed to reduce heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand?

Beta-blockers are a class of medications that are frequently prescribed to reduce heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand. They work by blocking the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) on the beta-adrenergic receptors of the heart. When these receptors are stimulated, they increase heart rate and the force of heart contractions, which in turn elevates myocardial oxygen consumption. By inhibiting this stimulation, beta-blockers effectively decrease both the heart rate and the workload on the heart, leading to a reduction in oxygen demand.

This property makes beta-blockers particularly beneficial for patients with various cardiovascular conditions, such as hypertension, angina, heart failure, and after myocardial infarction. The reduction in heart rate and contractility helps alleviate symptoms of angina and improves exercise tolerance.

Other medication classes serve different primary purposes. ACE inhibitors are primarily used to manage hypertension and heart failure by preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, thereby promoting vasodilation and reducing blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers primarily work by relaxing the smooth muscles of blood vessels, leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure, but they also can decrease heart rate in some cases. Statins are used to lower cholesterol levels and have a different mechanism and goal, mainly focusing on