Use of Atenolol

[DavidX]

I am on 50mg of atenolol and 230mg of verapamil daily for my HCM.  Someone just told me that use of atenolol can cause memory loss.  Is this true?  

Also, is there anything that you can tell me about how much exercise I can or should do?  I am about 20 pounds overweight and would like to use exercise in addition to diet to reduce my weight.

Thanks.

[Cleveland Clinic]

David,

Beta blockers can cause fatigue in some patients. Others feel they may not be as mentally sharp, which may be related to the fatigue.  In others they have no effect. Some also notice a difference in side effects between beta-blockers -- so if one causes effects in you, another may not.

With respect to exercise, I cant really recommend a specific course without knowing you and the history of your HCM including any history of sudden death in your family.  I would work with your physician to develop a plan that allows you to target a healthy weight.

good luck and Happy New Year.

[hankstar]

I also take Atenolol 100mg daily in divided doses (25mg 4 times daily) I find it works better that way for palpitations and tachycardia. I don't suffer the usual dreaded side effects of atenolol  but I am glad you got that question posted, I know it is a fairly rare side effect with some beta blockers, but I notice the last 6 months I will be in the middle of conversation and forget completely what I am even discussing, it has been happening several times daily now to the point that it is becoming an embarassment for me to stop and ask the person what we were talking about, sometime they even ask if am joking around. Even commenting here on the forum I find myself having to try and remember what I am responding to. Its becoming alarming, but not frightening, I suspect the atenolol myself.

Great question , I'll be anxious to see the doctor's reply.

Happy New Year.

[Jackie5910]

What is HCM?

[MaryRoe]

I am on Topol XL 50 mg.  I have found that I am "losing my mind" and cannot concentrate like I use to.  Scary, to say the least.  Waiting for the doctor's reply on this also. Good question.

[hankstar]

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy(HCM) it is abnormal thickening of the walls the left ventricle usually an famalial(ingerited) disorder. Normal measurement during diastole are between 8mm to 11 mm , 12 mm is borderline or marginal left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) usually 13mm to 14mm can be seen in some athletes and is commonly called an "athletes heart" , anything above 15mm would give rise to HCM. Other causes of left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) and by far the most common is prolonged hypertension(HBP)high blood pressure.

Everyday LVH is completely different from HCM, though there is thickening of the left ventricle with both.Blood pressure is control is very important as LVH can have detrimental effects on the heart also.

Happy New Year.

[hankstar]

That should spell (inherited), not (ingerited) see I can't even spell anymore :-)

[hankstar]

Some labs use different measurements to define normal thickness (6mm to 11mm) in some and (8mm to 12mm) in others, the little sway in the interpretation of these values are not of much signifcance as the numbers are still within the general norms. My opinion and understanding only, could be completely wrong.

[uptowngirl]

Hi.  I have been on atenelol for over a decade.  I have not experienced memory loss while on it.  However, if you just started atenelol, the memory loss may subside as your body adjusts to it.  Have you been taking the atenelol for a long time or just start?  I do remember being fatigued for a couple weeks, after being on the atenelol, but then it subsided and I felt great.  Perhaps you could take the atenelol at night if your Dr. says it's okay.  that slight changed helped me out alot.
Take Care.  Happy New Year.
Uptowngirl

[dquenzer]

Been taking atenolol, 25mg twice a day, for about nine years.  

The main side effect I have is insomnia, for which I have to take another med to help me sleep.  I would get 4 hours of sleep and then I'd be wide awake.  With the other med I'm just fine.

Exercise tolerance is pretty good, but it does take me awhile to get warmed up.  I do about 40 minutes of aerobics (running) 3 to 4 times a week.  Doctor told me I can do what I feel comfortable doing.  No limits.

It will tend to slow heart rate some. This is more for some than others.  Some people notice they have less exercise ability.  I guess if you are going to be a world class runner that could be a problem.  But if you want to be in reasonable good shape who really cares.

I've never experienced memory loss that I can remember!  But then again I'm nearly 50 so who knows.

I take atenolol primarily because I had an ablation for AFIB about one year ago, and Mayo just wanted me to stay on it to prevent irritation.  Plus I had such good success on it they didn't want to mess with it.

One thing I've heard is that atenolol is good for preventing heart attacks.  So that's a plus if you can tolerate it well.

[Chuck12]

I am glad I saw this thread.  I too have gone from Toprol to Atenlol and now off of beta blockers entirely.

Please note the following:

Many, many people find that Toprol kills their memory.  It is the worst beta blocker but it is heavily marketed to docs since it is still protected by a patent.

Atenelol, which is a generic and not heavily marketed, is better as it does not cross the blood brain barrier.

Unfortunately, now there is evidence that long term beta blocker use can lead to diabetes.

I now use Clonodine for my BP and pulse problems along with Cozaar.

Much better.

[sdrlmom]

Hi again.  I just posted for the first time a couple of days ago regarding pvc's and being afraid to take the atenalol. I took the meds for the first time and I feel great! A little tired but other than that no side effects.  So far the pvc's are few and far between.  Does the medicine actually stop them or do you just not feel them?  I see my Dr on Tuesday for a check up.  Thanks to all for your encouraging words Re these darn pvc's that scare me something awful!! It is nice to know I am not alone!!       Thanks, Cherie

[hankstar]

Hi,

   I see you tried the atenolol, there is some debate on whether it helps reduce the pvcs or lessen the ability to perceive them, my theory is helps to lessen them and the ability to perceive them also.

   For example a lady with exercise induced RVOT VT, 75 mg of atenolol abolished the RVOT VT, therefore is has the ability to stop the arrhythmia, so it has the ability to reduce the PVCs.

   Its looks like you might be one of the fortunate ones that responds well to atenolol, Good luck and wishing you a Happy PVC FREE 2005.

Take care,
      Hank.

[Cashiers]

HI all

Any feed back on Tamborcor/Flecanide.

Went to duke was a disaster, not sure what to now.

Cashiers

[uptowngirl]

Hey, glad you are back.  What happened at Duke?  Which EP did you see?  Dr. Bahnson?
Did they put you on an antiarrhythmic drug like the two you mentioned?

Uptown

[Cashiers]

HI

Wow glad to be home what an ordeal.  Yes did see Dr bahnson, the man has no beside manner at all.  Didn't even see him after EP study, was in office on monday following and he still would not see me to tell me why he didn't ablate.  Or what the heck happened, I was wide awake thru it all and no explaination or even an acknowledgement i was in the room. Had four cathes in.   At one pt asked where my doc was they said that is his voice in back ground. At another pt my body was bouncing off the table terriably, I was set for Atrial tack and pvc ablation and nothing was done. Bahnson Said lab was not set up for this type, what.... all paper work said this was why i waas there.  It was very scarey experi in with no care as to what or how i felt.  This in comparison to Mery at charlotte was diff ballgame.  I'm still trying to figure out what happened.  He wants me to start on Flecanide..... I quess...  Craziest situtation  and the story goes on and on

At this pt don't trust him and afraid of what i have read about this med. And aren't you supposed to be monitored when started.

He also said that, that kind off ablation needed to use some kind of balloon in the heart, would not explain.  What is that about too?

Seemed they were unaware of the event monitor I wore in sept and of heart cath at time of last ablation in april (04). Before procedure had office visit to talk.  While Bahnson went to catch call his assistant that made some comment about how I should talk to shrink and also about my deduct how much could it be 500, 750, 1000 bucks..... I said no how about 5000 and next yr it goes up that is why wanted to do abation this yr.  Assist says one thing then Bahnson on phone says another on after i called head of nursing to see if she could please get him to talk to me before i went home (7hrs away)

I was livid for hours after procedure, they would not give me anything to settle me down.  I could go on and on.  There were alot of mistakes in other areas.  I got copy of my records and now I will wait to see if he even calls me.

Sorry to go on and on but wow

[hankstar]

Tambocor and flecainide are one of the medication, Tambocor is the brand name , flecainide generic.

For asymptomatic PVCs , doctors are now completely swaying from precsribing proarrhythmic drugs like Tambocor. Many has success with it , but also many has met with the ultimate fate from taking it also.

I would not take tambocor under no conditions, an EP once told me he would never presribe it for any of his patients as risks of taking it far outweigh the benefits , which has been questionable for many taking it anyhow!!

[hankstar]

meant to say tambocor and flecainide is one of the same medications.

[dquenzer]

I can't believe your ordeal.

I had excellent treatment at Mayo.  They were incredible.  I had numerous doctors that visited me afterwards as well as the main EP.  

I certainly would demand somekind of follow-up.

As to Flecanide, yes you do need to be monitored while put on it.

[Momto3]

HI....I took Tambacor (flecainide) for about 4 months, and then switched to Ryhthmol (propafenone). I was started on Tambacor in the hospital.  The doctor said she could prescribe it and I could try it at home, but she felt it would be better under the watchful eyes of the telemetry unit in the hospital. Other than some GI problems, it worked great.  The rhythmol was even more tolerable.  I took them for frequent pvcs.  After 7 months on the meds, I opted to try ablation(s).  

Like dquenzer, I was treated very well and have always had extremely good follow up with my EP.  She is fabulous...I will be looking for an EP in NC and frankly, I do not like what I'm hearing. I will still see my EP in Cleveland for serial checks, but I will need someone in NC for emergencies.  Any suggestions on a good EP near Raleigh??

I hope you get some resolution soon.  Please take care.

connie

[uptowngirl]

Hi there Cashiers,
So sorry to hear about your experience.  I did not have a good experience either at Duke.  So what is your next step????  Did you have a group in Charlotte?  I had a good group in Charlotte, but now live an hour away since we moved.  If I ever have anything else major cardiac-related to have done, I will most likely go back to Charlotte.  I was treated very well there.
  I also thought those two meds. you mentioned had to be administered under pretty close surveilance.

Momto3,

Hi.  Charlotte Cardiology is a very good cardiology group.  I can reccommend them.  They have males and females on staff and a couple of Nurse Practitioners. They were great gettin me through an unexpected pregnancy with my heart condition.  I can give you their website and/or phone number. Am I allowed to do that on this forum?????  
I believe the closest big center near Raleigh would be the Duke Heart Center.  Even though Cashiers and I did not have a good experience there, you may have a better experience. I think it really depends on the Dr. My husband attended U of M in Ann Arbor, MI (yes, I married a Yankee, but he's a great ol Yankee!)  Anyway, he knew some of the med students who just raved and raved about The Cleveland Heart Clinic and Mayo Clinic.  Apparantly they are top-rated.  You could always call the Cleveland Clinic and get a referral.  Hope that helps.
Uptown

[Momto3]

Hi Uptown!!  THANKS A MILLION for your thoughts and suggestions on NC cardios.  Charlotte is a couple of hours from Raleigh, but hey, it's closer than if I had to drive 10 hours back to Cleveland in the spur of the moment. Do you know anything about WakeMed?  The stress of finding a new doctor is NOT helping : (

I talked to my EP and she gave me the name of an EP who is in her professional association (Dr. Randolph Cooper), but she does not know him personally.  She will continue to see me for serial checks on the rhythm and the leaky valve, but she thinks I should have someone close by -- just in case.  I have a cardio at the CCF in case my valve needs repair/replacment. I imagine I would return to Cleveland if I had enough lead time.   STRESS...UGH!!  

Feel free to email me at ***@****.

Thanks again!!  I hear it's in the 70's in Raleigh....a meager, rainy, dreary 38 here in Cleveland....ho hum
Happy New Year!
connie

[willabc]

I just started on inderol 2 days ago. My pvcs have become intolerable at times. After I eat they really flair up. Great- can't even enjoy a meal. Had 3 ablations for supraventricular tach. and the pvcs seem worse now than prior to procedures. 2nd Ep says all tests echo, stress, are basically fine. He says I'm fine but I feel terrible all the time. I have started to limit many normal activities, even avoid family/friend get togethers because of the way I feel and am seeing a psychologist to help me deal with this. After 2 days of inderol, no great improvement. Do beta blockers take a little time to work? This site has provided me with some comfort and relief because I guess we all have something in common. I especially like to see when someone posts about how they get on with their life and are doing physical activities which to me is inspiring. Unfortunately this has dragged me down a bit. With an arrythmia, everyday seems to be a struggle. I guess my new years resolution should be to approach this condition with a positive, cheerful attitude and do everything I can to improve my symptoms. Otherwise, these things can make you a prisoner in your own home.
Sorry to be such a bummer on my first posting.

[uptowngirl]

Hey.
Thanks for the response.  I am not familiar with WakeMed.  Could you explain?

It sounds like you have excellent care, and I'm sure you can find someone down here to cover you between your trips to Cleveland.  Will you be living in Raleigh? Welcome!

I also have a leaky mitral valve.  Was that your situation?  I'm tryin to remember.

Thanks for your email.  I will try and email you in the next couple days with the info. for Charlotte Cardiology.

Yes, it has been a quite mild winter here.  We hit 70 the last few days.  Our norm is about 50-55. I think you all will like it down here.  My cardio told me warm weather is easier on the heart.  

Do you have kids?

Take care,
Mari

[Cashiers]

I did go to charlotte Cardio for 1st ablation in april saw William Bock, compared to duke it was great and he is very kind and considerate, as well as all staff members.    

Reason went to duke was after wearing event for 30 days he said there was to much going on for him to deal with ablation wise, so I read about Bahnson at Duke.  The heart meds i don't tolerate so well.

talked with brother last week he told me his close friend works as surgical nurse in cardio unit at Cleveland clinic and if duke can't help call him.  So maybe this door I should open.

My mind set by time i got home is to get into work and move forward as best as i can.

Hankstar appreciate the info on flec, knew you would know.  I have been looking forward to talking with you.  Do you know about this balloon procedure pertaining to an atrial ablation?

Happy New year to all you guys, this Will be a better year for us!

[Momto3]

Hi Mari,

Apparently, WakeMed is in/around the Raleigh area.  I've heard some nice things about their facilities. I think they have a new "Heart Center."

You are right, I do have a wonderful EP. She is so thorough and supportive. Whenever I call her for advice, support, help, answers, etc., she returns my call. Fortunatley, my new insurance will cover expenses in Cleveland. I'm sure you are right in that I will be able to find a good doctor who I like and trust in NC....Lots to think about.

Yes, we are moving to Raleigh this year. Hubby accepted a job with a company near Raleigh and we will head south soon. We have been to Hilton Head many time, and we both LOVE the hospitality and friendliness of Carolinans. We have 3 children, the youngest one in college. YIPPEE!  How old are your children?

AND, you have a leaky mitral valve too! WOW! It's kizmet! I have MVP with mitral regurg 2+ - 3+ confirmed be TEE.  I laughed at your comment about "trying to remember" my situation. That is definitely something I struggle with now that I am over 40!! LOL! I've had MVP/MR for years. Also had zillions of pvcs for about 25 years.  Had two ablations in 2003 and (knock on wood) so far, so good.  

Thanks for the kind welcome and for the info on Carolina Cardiology. Warm weather is easier on the heart?  YEAH!!

Looking forward to hearing from you...Have a great day!  Thanks again!
Connie