Spasm, Tattoos and pacemakers...

Posted by Heather on July 30, 1999 at 10:06:26
I have a few unconnected question, I'm not going to spend the time stringing them into some cohesive thought process.
1.)Is it possible to get more relief from coronary artery spasm from beta-blockers than calcium blockers?
2.)  I've heard that if you are taking a beta-blocker that it's not wise to get a tattoo. Something about the ink and the medicine interacting?  Or there's a chance you can go into anaphyletic (sp) shock...have you ever heard of this?
3.)Do doctors ever place pacemakers to correct sinus arrythmias (sp)?  I understand that a lot of young people are supposed to have this "harmless" condition, but in my case it is really troublesome and somewhat life-disturbing due to all the bad symptoms that come with it...anyway, do the put pacemakers in for this reason?  If not, what arrythimas are pacemakers usually used for?
4.) Why are you not supposed to smoke while taking beta-blockers (besides the obvious reason that smoking is evil, sick and wrong)?
Thanks, Peace & chicken grease
Heather

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on July 30, 1999 at 16:05:49

1.)Is it possible to get more relief from coronary artery spasm from beta-blockers than calcium blockers?
Generally calcium channel blockers are the medication of choice for spasm.
2.) I've heard that if you are taking a beta-blocker that it's not wise to get a tattoo. Something about the ink and the medicine interacting? Or there's a chance you can go into anaphyletic (sp) shock...have you ever heard of this?
I've never heard of this interaction.
3.)Do doctors ever place pacemakers to correct sinus arrythmias (sp)? I understand that a lot of young people are supposed to have this "harmless" condition, but in my case it is really troublesome and somewhat life-disturbing due to all the bad symptoms that come with it...anyway, do the put pacemakers in for this reason? If not, what arrythimas are pacemakers usually used for?
Not for sinus arrhythmia.  This is a normal condition.  Pacemakers are only placed for slow heart rates.
4.) Why are you not supposed to smoke while taking beta-blockers (besides the obvious reason that smoking is evil, sick and wrong)?
I'm not sure why you were told this  but I agree with not smoking for any reason.

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A related discussion, tattoos was started.