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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Irregular Heartbeat/Beta Blocker
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Re: Irregular Heartbeat/Beta Blocker
by Jenifer__0__0, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Jennifer on July 07, 1998 at 14:35:17:
In Reply to: Re: Irregular Heartbeat/Beta Blocker posted by Dan on July 06, 1998 at 17:54:39:
Hello,
I am a 30 year old female and I've been experiencing an
irregular heartbeat for the past two months.
It occurs during the evening and at night, and is more pronounced
when I am lying down. It mostly disappears during the day, but will occur
after very mild exertion, such as walking one flight of stairs,
after which I am very short of breath. Note that I don't consume any
caffeine at all, and no refined sugar. I saw my doctor a week ago, after
which she ordered an EKG which appeared normal (since the irregular beats
don't occur during the day). Also BP was normal at 130/80.
However she did note that I have a somewhat
high resting heart rate. She subsequently prescribed a beta blocker
called tenormin (50mg).
The thing is I'm a bit hesitant about taking a beta blocker without finding
out the cause of the irregular beats, which occur continuously throughout
each night (it's not just one or two here and there, this is a
constant thing). Should I maybe see another doctor and request a holter
monitor so they can diagnose the thing? I told my doctor I was
reluctant about taking the beta blocker and requested a referral to a specialist,
but she would like me to try the beta blocker for thirty days.
Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.
Jennifer Dear Jennifer:
I'm a 33 year old male who experiences the exact same symptons you describe. My heart especially "races" after I eat and when lying down for bed. About 5 yeas ago my Dr. did and EKG, it was normal. I wanted and ECHO done but he didn't think it was necessay. I think the EKG should have been longer but it only took 2 minutes. I was placed on 50 mg of tenormin, the generic is atenolol. It slows my hear rate down to 60 beats a minute, sometimes too slow and its uncomfortable. I still get "weird" heart beats and want a further work-up. What is a Holter moniter?? I've cut my tenormin intake to 25mg a day, and it seems to help. But I'm still concerned and experience problems. I would like to know what you're going to do and how you're doing.
Good Luck,
Dan.
Yes, after I eat, especially if it's a big meal, my heart will pound noticeably, and at a faster rate than usual. However it doesn't race when I lay down, it's only irregular.
From what I understand a Holter monitor is a walkman-like device that you can wear for a few days which will record your heartbeat. The recordings assist the cardiologist in making a diagnosis. I am going to see a different doctor, I don't believe in taking drugs without a diagnosis. Anyway, the irregular beats don't bother me much, I just want to make sure there is nothing wrong, so I don't see the point in taking a beta blocker which can have side effects worse than the original condition...
thanks,
Jennifer
In Reply to: Re: Irregular Heartbeat/Beta Blocker posted by Dan on July 06, 1998 at 17:54:39:
Hello,
I am a 30 year old female and I've been experiencing an
irregular heartbeat for the past two months.
It occurs during the evening and at night, and is more pronounced
when I am lying down. It mostly disappears during the day, but will occur
after very mild exertion, such as walking one flight of stairs,
after which I am very short of breath. Note that I don't consume any
caffeine at all, and no refined sugar. I saw my doctor a week ago, after
which she ordered an EKG which appeared normal (since the irregular beats
don't occur during the day). Also BP was normal at 130/80.
However she did note that I have a somewhat
high resting heart rate. She subsequently prescribed a beta blocker
called tenormin (50mg).
The thing is I'm a bit hesitant about taking a beta blocker without finding
out the cause of the irregular beats, which occur continuously throughout
each night (it's not just one or two here and there, this is a
constant thing). Should I maybe see another doctor and request a holter
monitor so they can diagnose the thing? I told my doctor I was
reluctant about taking the beta blocker and requested a referral to a specialist,
but she would like me to try the beta blocker for thirty days.
Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.
Jennifer Dear Jennifer:
I'm a 33 year old male who experiences the exact same symptons you describe. My heart especially "races" after I eat and when lying down for bed. About 5 yeas ago my Dr. did and EKG, it was normal. I wanted and ECHO done but he didn't think it was necessay. I think the EKG should have been longer but it only took 2 minutes. I was placed on 50 mg of tenormin, the generic is atenolol. It slows my hear rate down to 60 beats a minute, sometimes too slow and its uncomfortable. I still get "weird" heart beats and want a further work-up. What is a Holter moniter?? I've cut my tenormin intake to 25mg a day, and it seems to help. But I'm still concerned and experience problems. I would like to know what you're going to do and how you're doing.
Good Luck,
Dan.
Yes, after I eat, especially if it's a big meal, my heart will pound noticeably, and at a faster rate than usual. However it doesn't race when I lay down, it's only irregular.
From what I understand a Holter monitor is a walkman-like device that you can wear for a few days which will record your heartbeat. The recordings assist the cardiologist in making a diagnosis. I am going to see a different doctor, I don't believe in taking drugs without a diagnosis. Anyway, the irregular beats don't bother me much, I just want to make sure there is nothing wrong, so I don't see the point in taking a beta blocker which can have side effects worse than the original condition...
thanks,
Jennifer
