Atenolol/Metoprolol are used to treat which conditions?

• A. Hypertension and atrial fibrillation
• B. Diabetes and hypothyroidism
• C. Asthma and COPD
• D. Liver disease

Answer: (A)

These drugs are cardioselective beta-1 blockers. By blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, they reduce heart rate and the force of contraction, and they slow conduction through the AV node. They also diminish renin release, which helps lower blood pressure.

In hypertension, this combination lowers cardiac output and vascular resistance, leading to lower blood pressure. In atrial fibrillation, the slowed AV nodal conduction reduces the ventricular rate, improving control of the rhythm and symptoms.

They aren’t primary treatments for diabetes or hypothyroidism, which require glucose management and thyroid hormone replacement, respectively. They’re avoided or used with caution in asthma or COPD due to potential bronchospasm, even though they’re more selective for the heart than nonselective beta blockers. So the conditions most directly treated by atenolol/metoprolol are hypertension and atrial fibrillation.