Metoprolol is prescribed for several symptoms, including patients with high blood pressure (hypertension), to treat chest pain (angina pectoris) related to coronary artery disease, and is also useful in slowing and regulating certain types of abnormally rapid heart rates (tachycardias).

Metoprolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, and works by blocking the action of the sympathetic nervous system, a portion of the involuntary nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the pace of the heart beat. By blocking the action of these nerves, metoprolol reduces the heart rate and is useful in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms. Metoprolol also reduces the force of heart muscle contraction and lowers blood pressure. By reducing the heart rate and the force of muscle contraction, metoprolol reduces heart muscle oxygen demand. Since angina occurs when oxygen demand of the heart exceeds supply, metoprolol is helpful in treating angina.
 

 

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