Arrythmias (pvc/pat) due to Myocardial Bridge

I've been on Metoprolol 100mg a day for 7 months to try and stop my pvc/pat arrythmias.  I've had a echo which was normal (ejection fraction 65%), EKG (normal) & Holter monitor which showed 2400 pvc/pat in 24 hours.  No tach or brady but some bigeminal cycles @1827 ventricular extopics & 348 supraventricular ectopics)  There were no episodes of ST depression however a CT scan showed a long segment of myocardial bridging without significant stenosis.  The Calcium score was zero.  My cardiologist feels that these are benign however my anxiety is rising due to the frequency of palpatations.  I've had these off and on for 40 years now (I'm a 63 y/o female) with no medication until now since they weren't as pronounced as they are now.  They now interfere with my daily life and sleeping is difficult due to the palpations.  I switched from Metoprolol (since it didn't work) & I'm now on Atenolol 50mg which I take 25 in am and 25 in pm.  Does anyone have any input on the success of this drug with similar symptoms?  Any input will be much appreciated as the stress of feeling these palpations is getting to me.  Thanks a million to anyone who can answer and give me to solice. Ginny

[cindy707]

Hi i read your post.....a couple of things to consider Ginny that may help a little...try to remember that on an average the human heart beats over 100,000 times in a 24 hour period and even tho your are having 2400 PVC's in a 24 hour period you can see what could happen in terms of potential for alot more episodes.   If you like your doc, trust your doc and he/she is monitoring your situation on a fairly regular basis you are no doubt good to go if the doc has told you that.  I too am on antenolol but a fairly low dose of 25 mg in the mornings when i brush my teeth and i personally love the med because it relaxes the heart, lowers the blood pressure, the heart doesn't beat as fast and their for me was virtually no side effects to it.  I am in my mid 50's and also was on the Meto w. no success until i took the antenolol...i kept having what is called breakthroughs on the Meto and my doc switched me over to the antenolol after trying 3 other meds until we got it right.  I know how it feels with the stress because anythng heart related scares the bejesus out of us trust me but once your body becomes acclimated to the antenolol and it takes up to thirty days to fully saturate your tissues life will be completely different for you.  I now consider the antenolol as sort of a vitamin in my mind and the funny thing is that my heart surgeon who has no heart issues says that antenolol some day will be a maintenance med for all humans that are healthy w. no heart issues...he is fairly young and he and my heart doc both told me that they take a low dose of it daily and it makes sense to me...why would we not take something that is actually good for the heart instead of taking not taking anything causing the heart to work harder and causing it to wear down thru normal wear and tear.  Personally i love antenolol and the word of the day Ginny is patience for the med to do its job.....i'd love it if you'd post back in a month or so so that we could hear your story and how its going for you...i think we should all put bumper stickers on our cars that say "I Hate Palps"...

[cindy707]

Hi i read your post.....a couple of things to consider Ginny that may help a little...try to remember that on an average the human heart beats over 100,000 times in a 24 hour period and even tho your are having 2400 PVC's in a 24 hour period you can see what could happen in terms of potential for alot more episodes.   If you like your doc, trust your doc and he/she is monitoring your situation on a fairly regular basis you are no doubt good to go if the doc has told you that.  I too am on antenolol but a fairly low dose of 25 mg in the mornings when i brush my teeth and i personally love the med because it relaxes the heart, lowers the blood pressure, the heart doesn't beat as fast and their for me was virtually no side effects to it.  I am in my mid 50's and also was on the Meto w. no success until i took the antenolol...i kept having what is called breakthroughs on the Meto and my doc switched me over to the antenolol after trying 3 other meds until we got it right.  I know how it feels with the stress because anythng heart related scares the bejesus out of us trust me but once your body becomes acclimated to the antenolol and it takes up to thirty days to fully saturate your tissues life will be completely different for you.  I now consider the antenolol as sort of a vitamin in my mind and the funny thing is that my heart surgeon who has no heart issues says that antenolol some day will be a maintenance med for all humans that are healthy w. no heart issues...he is fairly young and he and my heart doc both told me that they take a low dose of it daily and it makes sense to me...why would we not take something that is actually good for the heart instead of taking not taking anything causing the heart to work harder and causing it to wear down thru normal wear and tear.  Personally i love antenolol and the word of the day Ginny is patience for the med to do its job.....i'd love it if you'd post back in a month or so so that we could hear your story and how its going for you...i think we should all put bumper stickers on our cars that say "I Hate Palps"...