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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
beta blockers and ejection fraction
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beta blockers and ejection fraction
by sierra, May 11, 2000 12:00AM
Do beta blockers effect the ejection fraction results on an echocardiogram? I have read that one side effect of beta blocker use can be heart failure. How does this happen, and can long term use (12 years) be responsible for a marginally low EF of 47%?
Sierra
Sierra
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, May 13, 2000 12:00AM
Beta blockers are a mainstay of treatment for ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias as well as heart failure. However, due to their effects as a direct myocardial suppresant and through a decrease in heart rate, they may cause heart failure as a side effect.
I reduced that to 25 MG split into two doses which seemed to be ok. Later I reduced to taking 1/2 of the 25MG daily. At that level it seemed to be a very beneficial drug. It reduced my B.P. at moderate exercise by about 10 BPM, which was helpful.
Overall, I think that it has been a very beneficial drug at low level, but, I too, worry about the long term effects on heart function.
I recently have stopped taking it altogether. I still have a low resting heart rate and am temporarily taking it a little easier on my uphill hiking to keep the exercise heart rate down, until I adjust to being off of the drug.
My guess is that all of these drugs giveth and taketh away. I personally think that Atenolol is helpful in low dose for 6 months after a M.I., but believe that it could decrease heart function if I were on it indefinitely. That's why I chose to stop taking it.
past two years since his first "episode". he has been very
unhappy with the results since the only thing it seems to do
is lower his B P from 140/90 (he is 73, always excercised
vigorously,doesn't smoke, use alcohol or caffine) and adds
a few negative reactions like slow pulse (sometimes to 43
bpm and low even when excercising), exhaustion, drowsy-
ness and in general less joy. coumadin for safety from
possible clotting from atrial fibrillation, and ativan when he
gets anxious about it all, are the only other meds. i tried to
get the information you mentioned from cbshealthwatch.
medscape.com but i am so new at this i was all over their
site with no luck. my husband has another followup visit
with his dr. and we'd like to go informed so as to discuss
alternatives. we have seen electrophysiologists and are
considering the possibillitiies (though afraid to make things
worse). we would appreciate it if you could tell us if this
was an article and the date, or where we can read it. 73 may
sound old to some of you kids out there...but believe me .. it
is not ! our prayers are with all of you young people that
you make it to at least 100! lee
I suffer from extreme fatigue related to tenormin. I sleep 12-14 hours a night and still feel drowsy all day. I can't skip it though because it is supposed to prevent cardiac arrest in my case (I have prolonged QT) and without it I am at high risk. I am concerned about the long term effects of it now that I have read this. My doctors never said anything to me about congestive heart failure. I am on 100 Mg. a day. I still went into cardiac arrest twice when I was on 75 so they had to increase it. I am 5'2" and less than 100 pounds, so it really hits me hard! My pulse is usually around 52 or 56, and my BP is usually around 80/50. I will have to take it for the rest of my life they are telling me. Should I be really concerned about the side effects? I have been on it for four years. Please respond here or e-mail me at ***@****. thanks.
I've always had a very rapid pulse (even at rest), so this year I decided to have my heart checked out. After doing EKG's, echocardiogram, blood tests, and holter monitor, they said I have Mitral valve prolapse and innapropiate sinus tachycardia because of the MVP. The cardiologist put me on Toprol xl, 50 mg (another beta blocker). First I didn't want to take it because of the bad experience with atenolol, but then tried 25 mg the first day, and felt Ok. Then went to the 50 mg, felt a little sleepy during the first days, but now feel totally normal and my tachycardia is under control (I feel even better than before).
The doctor says that I'm going to have to take the Toprol for life, and I really don't mind now. My blood pressure is low now: 85/65 (it used to be 100/75), but my pulse is normal and feel wonderful.
Worst Pills / Best Pills book put out by Public Citizen's Health
Research Group, but the cbs drug directory made the atenolol
discription much clearer. .not that the book isn't great for detail.
good luck with you thalium stress test. please keep us informed
on what happens after your 48 hours without atenolol. lee