Permanently Banned
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Milwaukee, WI (BDSM sadist, Libertarian)
Gender: Male
Age: 47
Posts: 38,431
I have taken three different beta blockers for high blood pressure over the last 12 years. They all lower BP and pulse rate quite well, though I have never notice any SA benefit. Though the ones I've taken are much more cardio specific than propranolol, plus I largely lack the "stage fright" physical manifestations of anxiety. For example, I don't think I even can blush.
Though if your SA makes it feel like your heart is about ready to jump out of your chest, a beta blocker would likely help with that. The reason I use beta blockers is because other BP drugs like ACE inhibitors will lower my BP just as effectively, but they leave me with a resting heart rate of 100. Beta blockers notably reduce pulse in addition to lowering blood pressure.
One of the negatives of beta blockers is that many doctors simply prescribe them because they're are a wuss who's too afraid to prescribe a benzo (even when a beta blocker + a benzo may be the optimal choice).