AFib and Tachycardia Management

I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and tachycardia about four years ago,  (I have MVP).  I was prescribed atenolol, which I was taking up until a few days ago.  I stopped taking the atenolol gradually after learning that I had severe sleep apnea and my heart rate was only 29 and 27 bpm during two sleep study sessions.  Also, even taking the atenolol, I still had episodes of Afib and tachycardia daily.  Since I stopped the meds, I have experienced a few episodes of AFib daily and noticed that my heart rate has increased from 60 bpm to about 100 bpm.

Should I go back on the atenolol or wait and see what happens?

[va_tony]

IMO you should see your cardiologist (or better yet an electrophysiologist, a cardiologist specializing in arrhythmias) and discuss these issues with him/her. If you are having afib daily, I would think it is time for you to move up to either an antiarrhythmic like flecainide, rythmol, sotolol, etc. or to consider having an rf ablation. The problem with afib is that it gets worse with time, eventually becoming continuous/chronic due to heart remodeling.

I hope you did not just stop your atenolol without your doctor's permission and supervision. You should never suddenly stop taking a beta blocker or that can cause more arrhythmia problems.  Rather you should slowly wean yourself when stopping.

Best wishes

Tony (chronic afib sufferer)