Follow up: Heart Palpitations at night

[k1w1]

Hi Dr,

Regarding my post a couple of weeks back, I ended up getting a 24 hour holter monitor and the results came back "no abnormal arrythmias detected" this surprised me as I had a number of skips and jolts the night I wore it.  My doctor does not seem concerned and said if it was causing me to lose sleep to try a beta blocker to see if it helps.  I took 25mg of Antenol for 3 nights and got no relief.  My question is how long does it usually take for a beta blocker to work? should I continue taking it to give it some time? Also do you know if sleeping pills would help someone not notice palps during the night? I've had them for 3 weeks straight now and this is going to drive me crazy if I have to live with this! ;0P

Thanks so much

Tanya

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

My question is how long does it usually take for a beta blocker to work?

It is tough to say because if the holter was completely normal and you had the sensations while you wore it, I am not sure what is causing it.  Beta blockers can decrease the sensation of a "pounding heart" if you feel every heart beat and can decrease the sensation of extra beats, but it doesn't help everyone.  They will help some people immediately, others take a few days and other do not have any benefit from them.

Should I continue taking it to give it some time?

On this forum I can't really recommend stopping medications -- I have to leave that up to your doctor.  The is very little if any risk to taking beta blockers in this case so I can't think of a good reason to recommend stopping it.  Make sure you talk to your doctor before changing your medications.

Also do you know if sleeping pills would help someone not notice palps during the night?

It depends -- it if is very anxiety causing your heart to beat harder, it might help. If it is from PVCs or something like that, it might help.  

There are not often great answer to palpitations questions.  We can tell people when they are not dangerous but it is often impossible to tell you why you have them or if they will get better.

I hope this helps. Thanks for posting.

[Barbmag]

Tanya, I have been told two diff things re how long it takes for BB's to take effect..one cardiologist told me that if they are going to help suppress the PVC's they will start to take effect w/in 45 min to 2 hours but then another cardio told me to give it a couple of days.
Have you tried supplementing w/calcium and magnesium? I take those b/c they are suppose to help! Rather that do or not, is still up in the air. I would think that any sleeping aid would help you sleep and then perhaps you would not notice the palps but I would not want to resort to that unless it was just every now and then.

I know that these nighttime arrhythmias can be v,v troubling and a cause for sleepless nights. I experience this freq!!

Good luck!
B

[Barbmag]

Tanya, I am sorry...I meant to add that I was not trying to interfere with the wonderful Dr. McWilliam's but just wanted to tell you my experience since I have the same thing! I will be paying close att to what he has to say as well!!! What would we do w/o him??
:)B

[Renobird2]

I also have heart palps at night and sometime in the morning.  It really is frightening!!  I have seen my GP and they did the 24 hr heart monitor deal and found that the bottom part of my heart is beating faster than the top.  They thought it was due to my body producing too much adreneline.  They told me there is one of two options we can pursue.  One...do nothing becuase it is fairly normal for people to have heart flutters.  It's just that some people feel them and some don't.  Second...we can put you on beta blockers and reduce your blood pressure and slow your heart rate.  Now, mind you that I am 30 yrs old and am in good shape.  I have decided to see a specialist and get to the underlaying reason.  I think that is why my blood pressure is 140/90 is becuase my heart is working harder than it needs to and that there is an underlying issue.  

Don't give up and don't wait.  Force your Doctor to give you some answers.  Write down and list all questions/symptoms you have before you go in for another appointment.  Also, get a copy of all your records and see other Doctors.  Someone will help you.

Best regards.  David