X-File Question - Could Some Environmental Factor Affect Arrythmia's

I have noticed that this board is dominated by Arrythmia's lately.  I started having some type of palpitations, in the last two weeks, where I have added beats or skip a beat.

I have never had an irregular heart beat before, but had an M.I. in July and have been on Atenolol ever since (only 12.5 mg) recently.

My question may seem weird, but knowing that the sunspot cycle is a 11 year high, could this have some cause for the number of people complaining about arrhythmias?  The solar activity does affect the earth's ionosphere and satelites in orbit.

Another question: Should I be on Atenolol, when my resting heart rate without it is 44-47 and my just standing around heart rate is 60-65?  It was perscribed for it's cardioprotective effect and to counter marginally high blood pressure.

Thanks in Advance.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Wouldn't be surprised if there were some cosmic effects on the heart but to date no one has specifically studied this.

As far as the atenolol, if you are otherwise feeling well and the low heaqrt rates dont bother you continue taking it and discuss this with your physician.

[Linda]

I don't think your idea is weird--or maybe it is, but if so, then so is mine.  My family suffers from various heart problems, palpatations, atril fib, etc.  (Mom, sister, aunt, cousins, and me).  We have all noticed that we have more attacks around April and October than at any other time.  Also, today my mom was admitted to the hospital with her atril fib, and the doctor commented that "Today is the day for atril fibs--I've had four of them today (before lunch).  We just got a cold spell in. We wondered if this could be a result of weather--lows coming into our area, for instance.  However, I'm sure, no one will ever do any studies on this, so we'll probably never know.

[well...]

Cold weather spells are associated with increases in BP so many that is a factor

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Thank you for all your comments