Beta-blockers are medications that help slow down your heart rate and lower blood pressure. They work by blocking the effects of certain hormones like adrenaline on your heart. These medications are commonly used before cardiac CT scans to help create clearer images of the heart by reducing its movement.

Ivabradine is a medication that specifically slows down heart rate without affecting blood pressure. It works differently from beta-blockers by targeting specific channels in the heart that control its rhythm. This medication can be particularly useful for patients who need their heart rate lowered but cannot take or tolerate beta-blockers.

Ischemic Heart Disease – A condition where the heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen due to narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. The arteries become narrowed over time due to the buildup of fatty deposits called plaque on their inner walls. This process, known as atherosclerosis, reduces blood flow to the heart muscle. The reduced blood flow can cause chest pain (angina) during physical activity or stress. The condition typically develops gradually over many years and can affect people of various ages. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed vessels, which can lead to fatigue and shortness of breath.