Question Title: using beta-blockers for stress

I am having some increased symtoms of benign PVC's from scuba diving lessons.
I think part of the problem is the cold water. The increased PVC's and tachycardia
usually occur the next day. A cardiologist who is a diving specialist said
that I might want to consider taking a beta-blocker only when I'm planning to
dive because he thought that there was a possibility I could lose consciousness
when diving as I get dizzy when I have a run of PVC's. I am concerned about
side-effects of these medications and have never heard of them being used in
this manner ( for a short period of time when under stress). Do you have any information
on side effects that I could read? Also any experience with using the drugs
this way? I am concerned that dizziness and low blood pressure are possible side
effects and could also lead to loss of consciousness. What is your opinion of
this strategy. Thanks for you help.

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Dear Ruth,
Beta blockers have been used in this manner for years, as a matter of fact some
patients will take them (in small doses) just prior to getting up to give a speech or
a presentation (a very stressful situation for many people.)
Of course beta blockers are a prescription drug that your doctor can prescribe,
but only after the two of you have a perfect understanding of the goals and risks with
and without your taking the drug.
Beta blockers can reduce blood pressure (at different intervals after ingestion depending
the particular form taken) but when used for "stressful situations" and to reduce PVCs, they are
almost always given in the smallest dose possible which pretty much minimizes the risk factors.

Because everyones drug metabolism is different, you and your physician might simply try the
beta blockers for alittle while without there being any diving activity, just to test your tolerance
of the drug without confounding it all with how the dive may affect you. It seems intuitive to me that
you would not go diving having just started a new medicine.

I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only. Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!

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