Beta-blocker medicines slow the heart rate and decrease how forcefully the heart contracts, reducing the amount of oxygen the heart needs to work. Beta-blockers are often used to treat heart conditions, including high blood pressure, heart failure, fast or irregular heart rates, and mitral valve prolapse, and to help decrease or prevent chest pain.

Beta-blockers are also used for migraine headaches, social anxiety disorder, glaucoma, and a common type of movement disorder called essential tremor.