Use of beta-blockers

Posted By Phil on August 28, 1998 at 12:40:44:







I am a 40 year old male who was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse at age 21 after going through an EKG , echo-cardiogram , and a cardiac catherisation ( my doctor said he thought I had a hole inside my heart ). After all these tests and several stress tests administered by employer medical offices to determine fitness I have not experienced any abnormal beats or "flutters" until recently.
I've gone to my general physician here in Atlanta and she ran another EKG strip and found no abnormal patterns . She suggested  that I try and determine when over the course of the day these "flutters" occur . She also offered beta blockers as a medicinal solution to "ease the sensation" of the "flutters". What are beta-blockers , what do they do to the body and what are the side effects of taking them over an extended period of time ? I'm a little leary of starting any medication that I'll be forced to take for the rest of my life , however long that might be .
I thank you for any input on my questions and answers to my concerns .     Phil H.