Beta blocker heart medicines such as atenolol, propranolol and metoprolol are mainstays in the treatment of hypertension and heart disease. An analysis of a registry of 45,000 people with stable heart disease revealed no clearcut benefits of such medication. Researchers detected a possible benefit of beta blockers in the first year following a heart attack. Overall, though, the authors suggest that the benefits of such drugs may be more limited than doctors previously believed.