Arrhythmia and Atenolol

[Lisa Bowman]

Hi, I have been given a prescription of Atenolol to treat my arrhythmia.  Since the package insert for the drug does not list arrhythmia as one of its indications, I would like to know if this is a common AND effective use of Atenolol.
Thank you.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Lisa,

Atenolol is very safe and effective medication to decrease PVC's and arrhythmias.  It is commonly used in this case.

[matthew clay]

I am curently taking atenolol for a severe heart arrythmia and it is working great.  Ive never felt better.  So to answer your question it must be effective at least in my case!!

[lisa]

Thank you for your reply.  It makes me feel better knowing that others have had a positive experience with Atenolol.

[Linda]

I have SVT and have taken atenolol for almost two years.  The results have been good but there was an adjustment period for the dosage.  There are two side effects that I notice which are a little breathlessness when climbing stairs and vivid dreams.  Otherwise, everything is okay. Hope this information helps.

[Anne Campbell]

Atenol user for 10 years.  Keeps that heart rate down.  Don't know what I'd do without it.  Tachy from anxiety/panic attacks was my diagnosis for usage.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Anne,

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[Paul Bowman]

Lisa,

I have been taking Atenolol for about a year now since I started having Atrial Fibrilation attacks after heavy exercise and eating certain food, especially pizza. It has done a good job of controlling it. I have only had 2 minor attacks since I have been taking it: 1 after playing pickleball and I forgot to take it the day before, but it only lasted about an hour, and 1 in the morning for about 30 minutes.

I hope it works as well for you. It looks like my rythym problems are the least of my worries now since I have a ASD and some Tri valve leakage and they are recommending surgery to close the hole and fix the valve. Wish me luck!

[Elizabeth]

Here is a brief explanation on how your medication is working to treat your tachycardia. Your heart contains receptors called beta-1 receptors. When beta-1 receptors are stimulated the heartrate increases, you have stronger heart contractions and you have a greater increase in output of the heart (blood) to the rest of your body. Atenolol(Tenormin) is a beta-1 receptor blocker. It binds to this receptor and "blocks" the actions that I just described. So as a result, you get a decrease in heartrate (tachycardia) and your heart doesn't have to work as hard to get blood to the rest of your body. I hope this kind of helps you understand the way your medication is working

Elizabeth
2nd year pharmacy student

[Greg]

Although it is not indicated in the product insert, the main action of Atenolol and other beta 1 blockers is to lower the heart rate. Also, this is one of the mechanism these drugs were designed in controlling hypertension.

Greg

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Thank you to all for sharing your experiences.  Beta blockers are great cardiac drugs.