atenolol

[underinformed35]

Does anyone have experience with this beta blocker?  I went in for my check-up and my heart rate was back up. It was 155. My doctor said that he was worried about my long term heart function with my heart rate this fast. He wanted me to try a different beta blocker or do another ablation. I do not want another ablation! So I opted for the medicine. Has anyone taken this and if so did it help? I have to go back in two months for an echo to check heart function. He said that once it starts going down it could go down rapidly. Right now it is ok but if that happens is there nothing else I can do? Do I die??
I have been through so much over the last few years. Meds, ablation, pacemaker and now this!  

[Jerry_NJ]

Well, it seems you have much more experience than I.  I have taken Toprol SR and now take the generic Metoprolol SR.  I do not know atenolol.

It is important that we have a rest HR below 100, and normal blood pressure. BB is the medication of first choice in my experience, whatever "brand".  I have insurance, but prefer and am required to take generics whenever possible.  So, few brand names in my "diet".

I take BB to control/lower my HR, I suffer from Atrial Fibrillation.  My understanding is, that while aerobic exercise is "good" for the heart, a constant high HR is not good....can damage, maybe like so many other things, more wear-and-tear.  

[underinformed35]

That's what the doctor said. He said the heart is a muscle and he said too much work on the muscle and it gives out. I have taken Toprol and it did not bring my heart rate down. I took Flecainide and that helped the rhythm problems but did not bring heart rate down. So I had a sinus node modification and pacemaker put in but now heart rate is right back up. He seemed worried which makes me freak out!

[Jerry_NJ]

As I said, you have much more experience than I, and sorry that means you have more problems.  BB does a good job of bringing down my HR, and my BP adjusts to it so that I don't have a too low BP.  I do take a rather large dose, however, at least 100 mg a day, I have been as high as 100 mg twice a day (12 hours).  The high levels of BB do take their toll, fatigue and maybe some troubling dreams, I'm not sure on the last point, I have them but it may be my age rather than the BB.

I know I'm not helping, but I am reading and hope others are/will.  

I think your heart can take a high rate for long periods of time, it just adds strain, and best to somehow get under control.  I guess the "final action" is to disable the SA node (not sure I have the name right) and put you under full pacemaker control.

[twinbee]

Atenolol knocked me out. I could not function on that med. So my doctor took me off it and put me on Sotalol, then a mix of Sotalol and Cardizem. When my A-fib become chronic, we added Atenolol to the mix, put only as a PIP. Sometimes it worked, other times it did not.

[underinformed35]

Jerry- yes, he said that would be the next step but I really don't want to be completely pm dependant but if I have to I will! Thanks for your help!
twinbee-thank you also for responding. I have been on the Atenolol for about a week now and so far so good. I am tired though!

[mgonagl]

I was on atenolol for 10 years to control my rapid heartbeat.  About every year, the dosage needed to be increased.  By last October, I was on 100mg twice a day.  I then developed A-Fib and was hospitalized for a week.  I was instructed to continue it with Cardizem, then Flecinide, then Proprofone along with coumidin, and after 2 ablations, I am still in A-fib.  I am currently taking 100 mg along with a new drug just approved by the FDA.  Life was good before A-fib, and the atenalol did the job with few side effects.  The worst was fatigue every time the dose was increased, but it only lasted a week or two.  I did really well on it and wouldn't be afraid to take it.

[underinformed35]

Well that's good to know. I just hope that my body doesn't build up a tolerance for it because so far it is working really well. I guess I just need to wait and see. Thank you!

[jkfrench]

I was put on atenolol in my 20's because of IST.  I was and still is a wonder drug for me.  It lowered my heartrate but not too much.  Of course I started out on 1/4 of the 25 mg pill and to this day (20 years later) I still just need 1/4 of the pill.  Sometimes I get a breakthrough episode where my heart will speed up and I just take another 1/4.  Atenolol is great as far as I am concerned.  Start out by breaking it in half and see if that is enough to control your rate.  I do hear people say it makes them tired if they take too much so hopefully you won't have to.
Good luck
Frenchie

[sick and tired 47]

I agree with Frenchie.. I am on atenolol for PSVT. I am somewhat fatigued but it does a great job on my heart rate. I tried lots of meds before- verapamil, cardizem, flecainide, Toprol XL ( hated it- had headaches, bad nausea). So far the atenolol has worked the best with the least side effects for me. The bad effects I feel are fatigue, and a heaviness in my chest laying down or with exercise. But prior to taking my resting heart rate is 110- 120... and then the SVT  attack it would go up to 150 - 175 for an hour or two. I  am sure you are "worn out" with it at 155.  
  I too am only a low dose. I take 1/2 at night and 1/4 in am... but I have very low BP so have to keep dose low because of the low BP. I recently tried to decrease and go off with cardiologist permission... did not work . My daily heart rate went up again and I hate the pounding racing feeling along with exhaustion it caused me .
Good luck to you... I hope it works for you. It has been a lifesaver for me!!!

[underinformed35]

Thank you all for your comments. I feel better knowing that it is working for people!
So far so good on it! I am a little tired but was tired before with the high heart rate so this is much better to me. I have a hand held heart monitor that the doctor gave me and I have not even had to use it. Things have been very calm which is nice for a change!!