Beta-blockers are being revived as effective, safe, reasonably priced and well-tolerated drugs. Differences in the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of beta-blockers now make it possible to select for the therapy of the individual diseases from a wide range of available beta-blockers the most effective drug with the minimal undesirable effects. It is made possible by the progress in the development of this ATS group and particularly by the third generation of these compounds. A proof of the prospects of these drugs is provided by their extended indications as the first-choice drugs (myocardial infarction) as well as the generally extended possibilities of their therapeutic use (therapy of heart failure).