A shocking study reveals that majority heart patients are not getting sufficient dose of beta blockers, a drug known to increase survival prospects following a heart attack. The drug is an established name in decreasing the cardiac workload and oxygen demand of the heart.

A recent survey by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine reveals only 46% of patients studied were taking 50% or a little more of the required dose of beta blockers. Staggering 76 per cent patients while being treated at hospitals were under dosed for the drug.

According to Jeffrey J. Goldberger, a professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, beta blockers help patients survive a heart attack and proper dose of the medicine is essential to save lives.

During the study, patients were initially prescribed very low doses to assess the effect of the drug and three weeks later followed up with patients to check if their personal physicians had adjusted the dosage amount.

Explaining this gap, Goldberger said the reason could be patients’ short stay in hospital and lack of communication with the personal physician.