Sinus Arhythmia

[bekkNYC]

I was diagnosed with sinus arhythmia at an ER in nyc. I had an apointment with a cardiologist who told me that my Holter test showed 19% of the time extra heartbeats and prescribed metoprolol half a pill twice daily. Has anyone out there ever had this conditionn and is iit normal to get beta blockers for this condition.

[deedle1976]

It is my understanding that sinus arrhythmia and extra beats are two seperate issues. Sinus arrhythmia refers to the way the heart rate increases when you breathe in and decreases when you breathe out. The name is misleading as it is not really an arrhythmia at all. Most children have it and many adults. It is considered a sign of good health (good autonomic control of the heart).
Extra beats may be PACs (Premature, Atrial contractions) or PVCs (premature Ventricular contractions). You will find alot of discussion on this board about these. They are harmelss in a normal heart but can cause very annoying palpitations. Most members of the general population have extra beats daily but aren't aware of them. Some people, like you, have more than usual but they are still considered harmless unless you have an underlying structural heart disease.
Beta blockers are the normal first line of treatment. If the symptoms still bother you there is also a procedure called an ablation you may be a candidate for.