Dear Doctors,
I was 24 yrs. old when I had an episode of
atrialAtrial fibrillation/flutter
Atrial myxoma
Left atrial myxoma
Right atrial myxoma fib. After being converted with verapimil in the E.R., I had several tests in the next few days. Echo was
normalNormal saline flush, stress test
normalNormal saline flush, blood work
normalNormal saline flush,
ekgAtrioventricular block, ekg tracing
Ecg
Exercise stress test resting-normal. I then had an e.p. study done at Indiana University Med. Center. They were able to reproduce the arrythmia but concluded it was "
atypicalAtypical pneumonia" and that ablation was not an option. I was put on 50 mg. of Atenolol taken once daily. 6 months later I had a 24 holtor test done with the results being normal. 6 months after that I had a stress test done again with that also being normal. After 5 yrs of feeling great and having no recurrences of the a.fib I have started feeling strange beats again. These are not what I felt 5yrs. ago. These new beats seem to fit the description of PVC's. My questions are: can the Atenolol be causing these beats after 5 yrs. of use? What are my options if it is or isn't? These weird beats only occur 6-12 times per day sometimes and as little as 1 time a day other times. I don't notice anything when I'm active working or exercising. I only notice them when I'm resting in the chair after dinner or when I first lay down in bed. I also notice them when I "think" about my condition. (Maybe stress induced). Your thoughts on this is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Dear Kent
Atenolol does not cause PVCs; it can be used to treat PVCs.
I would suggest a repeat Holter monitor to see what is going on now. You can't make a diagnosis of PVCs without an EKG or Holter.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back. I wish you the best of luck.
If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our cardiologists here at the Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).