Bigeminy and Bradycardia

Posted By Robin on November 20, 1998 at 20:15:56:







I have been having PVCs for the past four years.  During this time, I have twice been hospitalized because of bigeminy (most recently this week).  My heart rate is always below 60 bpm (usually in the low 50s, although it dropped to 41 in the hospital) and my blood pressure runs between 70-90/50-60.  I have been taking 25 mg. of Tenormin at night and an additional 25mg. as needed with the PVCs cause me to get very short of breath.  My doctor said to raise my Tenormin to 50mg at night, but both times I was hospitalized the CCU nurses wouldn't do it because of the low blood pressure and bradycardia.  I often feel like passing out when I stand for very long.  I've had my blood pressure checked at times other than when I'm hospitalized and it almost always runs as low as stated.  My echocardiogram was normal.  Can anything else be recommended?  It doesn't make sense to increase the Tenormin when my blood pressure and pulse rate are already low.  Thank you for your response.