Researchers at Karolinska University in Sweden have discovered that beta-blockers used to treat heart disease have an unexpected ability to reduce the urge to commit violent acts. The results of the research have been published magazine PLOS MEDICINE.
Beta-blockers are used for arterial hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, chronic heart failure, coronary heart disease and other diseases. They block adrenaline and norepinephrine. It slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and also relieves stress. For this reason, beta blockers are sometimes used to treat mental health issues such as anxiety.
“At the same time, there are concerns that people taking beta-blockers may be at a higher risk of developing depression and committing suicide. Research is conflicting. Conflicting data puts doctors before a difficult choice. Are beta-blockers effective in treating psychiatric disorders and behavioral problems? Or are they instead serious? Can they increase the risk of mental health problems?” scientists write.
To answer these questions, the researchers analyzed data from 1.4 million people who used beta blockers. Over the course of eight years, the authors collected information about whether the participants committed crimes, what problems they went to doctors for, what medications they took, and why they died. The scientists compared each person’s behavior before and after taking beta blockers.
“We found that when people took beta-blockers, they had a 13% lower risk of being charged with a violent crime by the police. They also had an 8% lower risk of hospitalization for mental health problems. But the scientists found that the risk of treatment or death from suicide attempts was 8% lower. He said it was high.
The authors then reanalyzed and found that people with a history of serious heart disease or a history of psychiatric problems had a higher risk of attempting suicide.
“Beta-blockers can be more commonly used to reduce aggression and violence in certain individuals,” the authors write.