Propranolol works by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in your heart and blood vessels. This prevents the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), hormones that increase heart rate and blood pressure.
Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Reduction
By blocking these receptors, propranolol slows your heart rate and reduces the force of your heart’s contractions. This lowers your blood pressure. This effect is particularly useful in treating conditions like hypertension and angina.
Other Effects
The beta-blocker impact extends beyond cardiovascular effects. Propranolol also reduces tremor by blocking beta-receptors in the nervous system. It can decrease the symptoms of anxiety by dampening the body’s stress response and reducing the production of certain hormones that contribute to anxiety feelings. It also plays a role in managing migraines by affecting blood vessel constriction in the brain.
