Breakthrough arrhythmias on medication?

[mostgladly]

I was diagnosed with PSVTs 5 years ago at age 35. I take 10mg of propranolol daily and it has worked just fine to keep the arrhythmia at bay.

Lately I have been trying to run a little faster when I exercise, and I am wondering if a medication adjustment might be in order. I am not trying to do anything crazy; I just want to run a 5K in less than 30 minutes. About 20 minutes in, my heartrate gets to the high 170s.

The reason I am wondering if it might be a breakthrough arrhythmia (and not just that I am old and slow!) is that the muscles in my legs never feel sore or tired in the slightest -- not during the run, not afterward. I don't get stitches in my side or anything like that. The only thing that seems to be working too hard is my heart. I can run the same distance or more at a slower pace with no trouble at all.

I'm wondering if it might help to adjust my medication -- specifically, to take 20mg of propranolol when I am planning to run. Anyone with similar experiences?

[is_something_wrong]

I definitely have a similar experience. I use Pranolol for adrenaline-induced PACs, anxiety/sinus tachycardia and probably some SVT, though this is never found on EKG.

10 mg a day is a minimal dosage. I use 10 + 10 and I'm surprised it even works. Those using high amounts of Pranolol / Metoprolol use 200-300 mg a day.

Maybe I'm a little stupid here, but a heart rate of 170 while running (on a time schedule) doesn't seem high at all. SV arrhythmias during exercise tend to be significantly higher than 170, some people experience their heart rate "almost double" from one second to the next.

It's not easy to say what this is and isn't, and to your medications, my doctor said "80 mg a day is the limit, feel free to do what you want below that". However, I tend to get bradycardia at rest with higher dosage than 20 mg a day. You should NEVER change your dosage without consulting your doctor first, there is a possible reason he said 10 mg and then, who are we to disagree. Ask him first.

Remember: too high dosage of beta blockers can make it difficult to get your heart rate as high as you want. Follow your doctor's advice and take care :)

[Brooke_38]

I don't have a similar experince...but any dose changes to medication should be done with your Dr's guidance.

Good luck to you! :)