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Heart failure beta-blocker counselling — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModerateCardiovascular TherapeuticsHeart failure beta-blocker counsellingGPhC CRA

A 72-year-old patient with stable chronic heart failure is prescribed bisoprolol 1.25 mg once daily. They are worried because a neighbour said beta-blockers can worsen breathlessness. Their pulse is 78 bpm and BP is 128/74 mmHg. What would you advise the patient?

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Correct answer: DStart the low dose and arrange gradual titration with monitoring

Bisoprolol is used in chronic heart failure when the patient is clinically stable, starting at a low dose and titrating gradually. Counselling should explain that early tiredness or mild symptoms may occur, but review is needed if symptoms worsen. It should not be used as an as-needed treatment. Stopping diuretics or self-increasing the dose would be unsafe.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS