This commentary refers to 'Effect of longterm beta-blocker treatment followingmyocardial infarction among stable, optimally treated patients without heart failure in the reperfusion era: a Danish, nationwide cohort study', by A. Holt et al., doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa1058. and the discussion piece 'Long-term beta-blocker treatment in stable patients aftermyocardial infarction: a potential impact due to changes in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction?', by J.G. van der Stouwe et al., doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehab257.