heartBBEAT for life®

More than 7.5 million Americans have survived a heart attack and most are making lifestyle changes to recover and make their hearts healthier. Yet many don't follow one of the simplest steps to live longer and help prevent another heart attack: taking a beta-blocker medicine regularly.

Multiple studies have shown that, when taken long-term, beta-blockers can reduce the risk of another heart attack and increase the probability of survival by up to 40 percent. Among heart attack survivors at especially high risk for another heart attack, such as those suffering from diabetes, the probability of survival can increase to 48 percent.

More than 90 percent of heart attack patients are prescribed beta-blockers within seven days of leaving the hospital, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Yet a study conducted by CAQH reveals that less than half of heart attack survivors take beta-blockers regularly during the first year after a heart attack.

To raise awareness of the critical role of beta-blockers in preventing future heart attacks, CAQH launched heartBBEAT for life®, a national campaign to educate heart attack survivors, caregivers and healthcare providers about why the long-term use of these medications is so important.

Please note that this is intended to be educational information and is not medical advice for individual patients. Because patient symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments vary, it is important that you consult a qualified physician.