Long term propranolol treatment and changes in body weight after myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objective - To determine the effect of long term propranolol treatment on body weight. Design - Retrospective analysis of data from a placebo controlled randomised double blind clinical trial (the β blocker heart attack trial). Patients - 3837 Men and women randomised 5-21 days after an acute myocardial infarction to treatment with placebo or propranolol for up to 40 months. Patients were followed up at annual visits. Main outcome measure - Changes in body weight. Results - At the first annual visit patients treated with propranolol had gained more weight than those given placebo (mean weight gain 2.3 kg vs 1.2 kg respectively, mean difference 1.2 kg (95% confidence interval 0.9 to 1.5)). These group differences remained at the second and third annual visits. The difference in weight gain could not be explained by discrepancies in the use of diuretics or in physical activity and was similar in patients of both sexes and of all ages. Conclusion - Long term β blockade results in a sustained weight gain.