Is it safe not to treat atrial flutter

[lilianna]

I seen my cardiologist after wearing alert monitor for 30 days he put me on metoprolol but said nothing was really wrong, but when I showed the readings to my Aunt who is a nurse and use to read those for a living told me to immediatly get a second opinion, which I have scheduled for 4/26. The other dr asked for my chart notes and reports from my cardiologist when I has recieved the cardionet reports he had signed off on 98% of htem except for 2 of them which the hospital sent over to him and stated that atrial flutter should be considered . So any input would be greatly appreciated thank you and gods blessings on your day

[Jerry_NJ]

Yes, Metoprolol is a beta blocker, and my experience with it is does rates of 50 mg per day or less doesn't seem to cause me any side effects.  I'm currently on 100 mg (slow release) a day and it does cause me some fatigue, but I suffer from atrial fibrillation (I think is worse than flutter) that too can cause fatigue.  I think the only thing my body adjusted to was in the beginning my blood pressure was too low, sometimes causing dizziness.  After a year or more at the 100 or higher dose level my BP has settled in the "just right" zone, low but not causing dizziness.  I take warfarin (coumadin) and aspirin to protect against blood clots.  Again, I think AFib is worse than AFlutter for clot formation.  Still I'd think the doctor would at least put you on an aspirin a day.

[ireneo]

Metoprolol is a beta blocker if I remember correctly. Those do sap the life out of you for a few months till your body adjusts. No fun at all. Again, I would get a second opinion, see if a different cardio can pin down the SVT, what type it is. It may be simple PSVT and that's not life threatening. I know because I've had it all my life and I'm still kicking. I hope you get some solid answers soon.

[lilianna]

Thank you for your response to my question...  on the report it stated "event #17 demonstrates narrow complex SVT with a heart rate of 167 beats per minute. Atrial flutter should be considered  and event # 19 again narrow complex tachy, Atrial flutter should again be clinically considered" so I am not sure all I know is I just want to feel better I was exhausted before because of pulmonary hypertension but now that he put me on the metaprolol I am having a lot of trouble with exhaustion its just an effort to walk I get out of breath.....

[ireneo]

Much depends on how often and how long the atrial flutter appears. A quick burst of flutter probably isn't any different than PSVT. But something that goes on for 20, 30 minutes or more can increase your risk of forming small clots inside the heart. That's when doctors will usually ask you to take some kind of blood thinner, something as simple as an aspirin a day or more serious like coumadin. I think you need more answers and information. A second opinion wouldn't hurt.