Can asthma sufferers use Beta Blockers?

[snyderm]

I have a heart arrythmia (currently it is not diagnosed completely, but I think it is there) but I have asthma.

I have read on wikipedia that Beta Blockers is not good for asthma.

Since I have a mild asthma, can I take beta blockers?  Does anyone here have asthma and take beta blockers?

[ireneo]

I have what is considered mild asthma and my cardio would not put me on BB's. He gave me calcium channel blockers. He didn't want to take the risk.

[snyderm]

What do you take Calcium channel blockers for?

Does your Calcium channel blocker consistently slow your heart down?

I have an always fast heart, (daytime resting pulse in the mid 80's).  During excercise, my pulse goes high quickly, and does not come down to a normal rythm in a normal timeframe.

I am hoping Calcium channel blockers will slow my heart down, but I have read that a side effect of the medication actually can speed it up.

[ireneo]

It really depends on the individual and how they respond to the medicine. Even various CCB's can have different effects. I was originally given Verapamil years ago before any of my ablations to control my PSVT (an erratic type of atrial tachy). I had some pretty severe side effects, ended up in ER and was taken off the med. Years later they had me try Diltiazem, also a CCB because I was going in for surgery and they wanted my heart to be as cooperative as possible. Except for the initial adjustment period (a couple weeks of headaches and fatigue) that medicine worked quite well. My heart was quieter but I did feel a bit sluggish. I no longer take it regularly, just have it on hand if I have a bad heart day. This is fine with my cardio. The rest of the time I just bounce along, my heart and me.

You'll have to see what your cardio recommends for your particular arrhythmia. And what works for me may not work for you.

[khearts2]

I have mild asthma.  I take a beta blocker called Sectral for my CPVT.  Some asthmatics can tolerate them, others can't.  I even know of a couple severe asthmatics that tolerate beta blockers.

[dancingheart]

I have controlled asthma... which means I take regular meds. for it.  I also suffer from allergies.  I am currently taking 75 mg of Toprol XL daily.  I was hesitant at first, but Calcium Channel blockers where not helping the IST and SVT that I was severely suffering from...and I had been on them since 1996.  I have been on Toporol for 5-6 months now and  I have seen no difference in my breathing difficulties. But it sure has helped the rhythm difficulties!  Only when I got bronchitis did I have a little bit more difficulties that I did when I was on Calcium Channel Blockers.