Beta Blockers 'Killing Patients'

Beta blockers routinely given to patients before surgery do far more harm than good, with patients 35% more likely to die within a month than those given a dummy pill, according to a study reported in the Lancet.  While the blood pressure drugs did cut the number of heart complications, the risk of stroke doubled, researchers discovered.

"There is a real potential that beta blockers are causing serious harm in the surgical setting," said the lead scientist. "If my mother was undergoing surgery and given a beta blocker, I would be extremely upset based on this evidence."