Beta-Blockers: Why More Women Are Turning to Them — and What to Know

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Chaitali Sarkar

A familiar medication with new attention

Beta-blockers have been used safely for decades to help manage blood pressure, protect the heart, and prevent complications after certain cardiac events. One of the most well-known, propranolol, works by calming the body’s adrenaline response, slowing the heart rate, and easing the physical effects of stress.

Recently, more women are discovering another use: turning to propranolol to help with situational anxiety, such as before a big presentation, performance, or milestone event.
‍

Why the interest is growing

Propranolol isn’t new — but conversations around it are. Social media, podcasts, and celebrity culture have helped bring attention to its off-label use. Women describe the benefit as feeling more in control of their body’s stress response, allowing them to focus on the moment. Because the medication is generic and inexpensive, it has become accessible to many.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, prescriptions for propranolol have risen nearly 30% since 2020, with many women turning to it for events ranging from weddings to public speaking, to first dates. The growing openness around its use has helped normalize propranolol as an occasional tool for managing the jitters that come with high-pressure situations.

The potential benefits

• Confidence in the spotlight: By steadying a racing heart or trembling hands, propranolol may help women feel calmer in high-pressure moments.
• A long safety record: Beta-blockers have been part of standard cardiology practice for decades, giving doctors a well-understood medication to work with.
• Non-addictive: Unlike some medications used for anxiety, propranolol is not habit-forming and is typically used only when needed.

The important cautions

While beta-blockers can be helpful, they are not without risks:

• Not for everyone: People with asthma, low blood pressure, slow heart rhythms, or certain circulation problems may need to avoid them.
• Doesn't treat the root cause: Beta-blockers help with the physical symptoms of anxiety but do not address the mental or emotional aspects.
• New research in women's heart health: A recent large study found that women who had heart attacks but still had normal heart pumping function sometimes fared worse on high doses of beta blockers. This doesn't apply to all patients — they remain lifesaving for those with weakened heart function — but it highlights the importance of tailoring treatment for both men and women.

The takeaway

Beta-blockers can be an empowering tool in certain situations, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. For women considering propranolol, whether for heart health or performance anxiety, the safest step is a conversation with a healthcare provider. Together, you can weigh the benefits against the risks, and find the right strategy for your needs.

Sources

• The Wall Street Journal: The Pill That Women Are Taking for Everything From Speeches to First Dates (2024)
• European Society of Cardiology: REBOOT Trial press release (2024)
• Contemporary OB/GYN: Beta-blockers linked to worse outcomes in women following a heart attack (2024)
• Pharmacy Times: Women Face 45%  Higher Mortality Risk From Beta-Blockers After Heart Attack (2024)
• Medical News Today: Common heart attack pill may be harmful for women with certain heart conditions (2024)

‍