Post Heart Attack

In my humble opinion your sister should go back on the beta blocker immediately!

Doctors prescribe beta blockers because they lessen the work load of the heart, which is very important after a recent heart attack.  Your sister is still in danger of another heart attack or further damage before having any procedures which she may have done, and the beta blocker is a cardioprotective medication.

My experience is that it takes 3 or 4 days or more to adjust to the medication.  Since my M.I. in July I have reduced from 50 mg of Atenolol to 25 mg and now am down to 12.5, which is almost nothing.  Each time that I have changed the dosage, I have had 3 or 4 days of wooziness.

My experience is that this medication shouldn't be taken on an empty stomach and should be taken at the same time every day.  I cut the pill in half and took it twice a day, instead of once, to give a more sustained dosage.  Otherwise 50 MG will have a strong effect within a few hours after taking it, but will taper off later in the day.

I don't believe that I will need to be on a beta blocker indefinitely, however.  I have been able to lower my heart rate and blood pressure with daily exercise, dietary changes, and stress reduction and have been able to lower my dosage over the last three months.  I do certainly believe that it was an extremely helpful medication after the heart attack.

Thank you for your comments.  Beta blockers are an essential medication in cardiology.