Atenolol

[bannanon]

Hi - I was just prescribed Atenolol for sinus tachycardia and episodes of SVT.  In reading all the possible side effects, I am now scared to death of taking the atenolol.  When I have the sinus tach my heart rate is around 140 and it lasts for hours.  The SVT episodes are isolated and only last less than a minute.  I usually cough and they seem to go away.  My bp is normally 110/50.  Is this atenolol going to help, or do I just put up with the tach and svt.  I have been to 2 doctors and they both said that my heart is structurally fine.  I have had all the tests and worn all the monitors.  I am an otherwise healthy 39 yr old female.  DOes anyone have any similar experiences that atenolol has helped?  Thanks so much!

[musikbox]

I would not take the Atenelol if your blood pressure that low to begin with.

The top number is fine but the bottom number is low, and taking Atenelol is only going to make it go lower, so you might actually pass out or feel faint.

I used to take Atenelol but I do not like beta blockers so I took myself off it & I am hoping to get something different for my tachycardia.

[sick and tired 47]

Hi!
For ME, atenolol has been the only drug that worked and I could tolerate( tried many)I have no side effects but fatigue.
Yes, I agree your BP is low... I too have very low blood pressure too.
Here is what I did, started out on 1/4 tablet for a few nights, then worked up to a 1/2 at night and 1/4 in morning ( cannot take all at once). My blood pressure is low 90/50...has been lower at times, but wow my pulse now sometimes drops to 50's. It  feels a like wierd/scarey at first to have such low pulse and NO pounding especially when trying to go to sleep but I love it.
I just saw my cardio- he advised lots of fluids, do not restrict/liberally use salt ( I have no problem with fluid retention).
I was fighting meds for a long time, tried not to take anything... but I feel SO much better, now.   I just have some fatigue but will accept to get rid of those terrible other SVT symptoms.
Ps. My neighbor also is atenolol for high BP and tachycardia... just told me the other night how much better she feels now too ( we are perimenopausal... little older than you).
Good luck,keep us posted!!!

[paanda2]

i am on atenolol too for tachycardia (inappropriate sinus tachycardia, meaning that i have a fast resting hr and it'll spike for no reason). i am on 50mg morning/25mg night. before i was on it, i had normal/low blood pressure (110/70); last time i had it checked, it was 90/50, which my cardio wasn't concerned about because i felt fine. some people have low blood pressure, but it isn't too bad because they don't have symptoms. when i first started taking atenolol, i felt the effects of low blood pressure (weakness, headaches upon standing, etc), but now, my body has adjusted to it. (when my dr told me it was 90/50, i was shocked, because i didn't notice!)

about the tachy: it has really helped me. before, my average hr (from holter) was 96, about a month ago, it was 76. i still get some bouts of tachycardia (nothing over 100 though), from things like having a really full stomach, lots of chocolate (i'm rolling my eyes at myself as i type this ;)), and sometimes, depending on the type, alcohol. i only have a few side effects: when it "beaks" my fingers are sometimes cold, and i think it's affected my peripheral circulation a bit. for the first few months, i had doubts and concerns about it, but i think my body has leveled out. the drug up-regulates, meaning that it comes on strong when it's first in your system, and then your heart increases receptors to replace the ones it's antagonizing; meaning, the side effects you may experience first start to lessen/go away (usually).

that being said though, it's a powerful drug, so just watch your body on it and take caution. be sure to just drink a lot of fluids, and increase your salt intake (which helps you retain water and keep your bp up; BUT talk to your dr about this first). i think it is worth the potential side effects, because tachycardia is annoying/scary.

good luck to you!

[bannanon]

Hi - Thank you all so much for your helpful emails.  Knowing the Atenolol is helping you gives me hope.  I too was doing everything to avoid meds and I do not want to be scard anymore.  I am filling the script today and I'll keep you posted.  Thanks to all of you who responded!  Do you monitor your own bp?  Thanks!

[dancingheart]

I do not take atenolol but I do take metoprolol which is almost chemically the same... both beta blocker's both accomplish the same thing.  I too take it for Sinus tachycardia and SVT's.  I never had problems with high or low BP before taking it.  Now I am averaging 90/50, and my pulse is in the low 50's most the time.  At first I had a little trouble adjusting as I was used to 90-130 pulse and 128/82 BP.  But, now I am doing just fine.  I am a bit concerned having to take the meds. when I see my pulse this low right before I have to take my next dose of medication, but my cardiologist says that as long as I have no symptoms I am fine.  I am just happy that I don't have to go to bed at night with a pounding/banging heart...this seemed kind of strange at first, not feeling my pulse.  I was told by my cardiologist while I am on beta blockers I can help with the side effects if I stay very well hydrated while on them...If I don't drink enough, I have a lower BP, and I get a little bloated and tired.  I hope this helps.

[sick and tired 47]

Hi! I bought a BP/ pulse monitor device at the advice of my dr. I have used it, especially when I first started the meds. I could then relay  to my dr. my Bp/pulse instead of saying "I felt" this... my BP was this/ pulse this... ect.
Good luck to you! You will feel so good to NOT have those palps and racing!!!