The authors present contemporary findings on the treatment with beta-blockers in patients with chronic heart failure. It is important to differentiate acute and chronic administration. The authors discuss theoretical prerequisites for the administration of beta-blockers in chronic heart failure. They give an account of indications, contraindications and mode of treatment. The dosage pattern for different preparations is given. The authors summarize the results of major studies with beta-blockers: MDC, CIBIS, ANZ, US Carvedilol Trials and they outline the trends of future research and indications for treatment with beta-blockers.