Final answer:
Beta blockers are medications that block the effects of adrenaline on the heart. They are commonly used to treat high blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Beta blockers, also known as ß-blockers, are medications that bind to ß-receptors in the heart and block the effects of adrenaline. They are commonly prescribed to patients with high blood pressure. By blocking these receptors, beta blockers can reduce heart rate and blood pressure, helping to lower hypertension.
Special populations that may take beta blockers include individuals with cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure or those who have previously suffered a heart attack. Beta blockers can improve cardiac function in these individuals by allowing blood vessels to dilate and preventing heart rate from increasing, thus reducing the workload on the heart.
However, it is important to manage dosages carefully, as overprescription could lead to too slow of a heart rate (bradycardia) or even heart stoppage.