The name of the drug Betalac is Metoprolol Succinate Extended Release Tablets, which can lower blood pressure, but the magnitude of the lowering of blood pressure by Betalac is relatively small. The main effects of Betalac are to lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and suppress sympathetic arousal. For some young hypertensive patients, doctors sometimes prescribe Betalac to reduce sympathetic excitation. In some patients, such as those with coronary artery disease and heart failure, Betalac is also prescribed to lower the heart rate and protect the heart, as the blood pressure in these patients is usually not too high. In the long run, Betalac may reduce the mortality rate in patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure, as well as reduce the probability of other cardiac events.