A health professional should monitor for what side effect when prescribing beta-blockers?

When prescribing beta-blockers, monitoring for bradycardia is essential because these medications work primarily by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart. This action results in a decrease in heart rate, which can be beneficial for conditions such as hypertension, anxiety, and certain types of arrhythmias. However, if the heart rate decreases too much, it can lead to bradycardia—a condition characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate, which may manifest as symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or even syncope in patients.

Because of their influence on heart rate and rhythm, healthcare providers should routinely assess the patient’s heart rate and rhythm through physical examination and possibly through ECG monitoring. The risk of bradycardia is especially important in patients who may already have underlying cardiac conditions or those taking other medications that can also cause decreased heart rate.

While the other options might present concerns in various clinical scenarios, they are not the primary side effect to monitor for in the context of beta-blocker therapy. Weight gain may occur in some patients due to alterations in metabolism or lifestyle changes. Increased anxiety can occur in some cases as an indirect effect, particularly in patients withdrawing from beta-blockers. Rash is less commonly associated with beta-blockers compared to other