Non-selective beta blockers are contraindicated for patients with:

Non-selective beta blockers are contraindicated for patients with asthma because these medications block both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. The beta-2 receptors are primarily located in the bronchial smooth muscle, and their activation leads to bronchodilation. By blocking these receptors, non-selective beta blockers can induce bronchoconstriction, which can exacerbate asthma symptoms and potentially lead to severe respiratory distress. Patients with asthma require careful management of their condition, and the use of non-selective beta blockers could significantly compromise their respiratory function.

In contrast, while cardiac arrhythmias and angina pectoris may require caution when using beta blockers, these situations do not present the same level of risk for acute complications as in asthma patients. Anxiety is generally not contraindicated for beta blockers; in fact, selective beta blockers are sometimes used to manage certain physical symptoms of anxiety. Therefore, the specific respiratory effects of non-selective beta blockers make them inappropriate for individuals with asthma, solidifying the rationale for their contraindication in this patient population.