The recent AHA study was originally intended to link depression to beta-blockers, as it is the most commonly reported mental health side effect but encountered sleep complications during the study. The researchers were ultimately unable to find any link between depression and beta blockers.
“Our results indicate that concerns about adverse mental health events, particularly depression, should not influence the decision on beta-blockers. Beta-blockers are generally safe with respect to psychological health,” the study’s author said. Reinhold Kreutz, MD, PhD, a professor at the Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, said in a statement. “We found no indication of a link between beta-blocker use and depression. The same is true for most other mental health symptoms.” And sign up for our daily newsletter for more information.