meds

  I am a 47 year old female taking 20 mg. Accupril and 25 mg. lopressor. I don't like the side effects of the lopressor...the fatigue, but my dr. said it's a trade-off....either fatigue or heart palpitations. Is there *any* medicine for palpitations that doesn't also result in fatigue? Also, why do the palpitations and heart rate increase after a meal? Thanks in advance.

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Dear Hahn,
Beta blockers such as lopressor are the drug of choice for the palpitations, and many
patients do just live with them.  There are other beta blockers that you should try that
may not make you so fatigued. The other drugs available for blocking the palpitations are more
dangerous than beta blockers and therefore are not used for such a benign condition (i.e. the risks
of taking these drugs far outweigh the benefits.)
Palpitations are usually increased by certain foods like anything with caffeine in it (tea, coffee, chocholate)
but they are also increased by alcohol and stress.  Other than that I can not explain the increased palpitations
after eating.  The body responds to food in the stomach (eating) by increasing blood flow to the arteries
surrounding the stomach, intestines, and liver, however many people do not even notice this change as most
people are not so focused on their hearts as you and others with palpitations are.  If it will make you less
concerned, record your heart rate and blood pressure at various times throughout the day, keep a log of it,
and show it to your physician at your next appointment.  Good Luck.
Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only,
actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).