A major new study has found that beta blockers—common heart medications—do not benefit patients who have had a mild heart attack with normal heart function.
This finding may change heart treatment practices that have been followed for over 40 years.
The research comes from the REBOOT Trial, led by Dr. Valentin Fuster of Mount Sinai and CNIC in Spain. It was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress and published in The New England Journal of Medicine on August 30.
Beta blockers are often given after a heart attack to lower the heart’s workload and prevent future heart problems.
However, in the REBOOT trial, 8,505 patients from 109 hospitals in Spain and Italy were studied.
They were split into two groups: one received beta blockers after leaving the hospital, and the other did not. All other standard treatments were continued. Over nearly four years, researchers found no difference in survival, new heart attacks, or hospital visits for heart failure between the two groups.
A second part of the study revealed something important: Women who were given beta blockers after a mild heart attack actually had worse outcomes.
They had a 2.7% higher chance of dying or being hospitalized for heart issues than women who didn’t take the drug. This risk only applied to women with normal heart function—those with slight heart damage did not face higher risks.
Beta blockers can also cause side effects like tiredness, low heart rate, and sexual problems. While they were once essential, modern treatments—like quickly opening blocked arteries—have changed how doctors treat heart attacks. Because of this, the need for beta blockers is now being questioned.
Dr. Borja Ibáñez, the lead investigator, said that this study will reshape global medical guidelines. Today, more than 80% of patients with mild heart attacks are sent home with beta blockers. The REBOOT study shows this may not be necessary.
Dr. Ibáñez added, “This trial was created with no funding from drug companies. Our goal was to improve care using strong scientific evidence. These results could reduce unnecessary medications, side effects, and improve quality of life for many patients.”
The REBOOT trial follows other groundbreaking studies led by CNIC and Mount Sinai, such as the SECURE trial (using a polypill to lower heart risks) and the DapaTAVI trial (showing benefits of diabetes drugs in certain heart procedures).
Experts believe REBOOT is one of the most important heart studies in recent years.
The study is published in New England Journal of Medicine.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
