arrhythmia/ slow heartbeat problem or not? made worse by atenolol?

[jim699]

diagnosed with arrythemia in Jan after incident at gym where heartbeat soared to 160, but then calmed down.  Went to cardiologist, had nucleor stress test and it was fine.  am 63 male very athletic, told I had heart of 30 year old athlete, but one with arrthemia.  Dr. put me on atenolol 25 mg.  All seemed fine but heartbeat would sometimes soar during exercise and then "settle down".
As a month or two went by I seemed to notice that heartbeat was soaring 2---4 times during exercise (usually during vigorous aerobic exercise).  I moved back home (was in Florida) and saw my internist and expressed my concern about heartbeat soaring during exercise and the fact that I seemed to "notice" my heart--maybe some palipations--whatever--just becoming aware of it.  He put me on 50 mg of atenolol and had me do a 24 hr. halter monitor about a week later.  He indicated that I had a slow heartrate and scheduled me for an appointment with a cardiologist and hinted that I might need a pacemaker.

I have no symptons that I am aware of except during exercise.  My "slow heartbeat" (45-55) causes me no problem.
I'm wondering if because of my fitness level my slow heartbeat is really not a problem (a year ago my heartbeat was 55-60).  I also wonder if increasing my atenolol from 25 to 50 mg is aggrevating the problem.

I guess this is a lot but I'm not really sure the extent of what is to be discussed in this forum

[Flycaster305]

Atenolol will definitely slow down the heart rate.  The question you might raise to your doctor is whether the fast heart beat comes from a potentially dangerous condition or not.  You have what doctors call 'Brady-Tachy Syndrome' and a common reason to have a pacemaker inserted.

I'd suggest you ask your doctor if you should wear a 24 hour heart monitor, that will usually help understand the type of problem you have. Also, An Echocardiogram would probably be prescribed before a pacemaker is inserted.  

[MamaBush]

Atenolol is primarily prescribed for high blood pressure, but it can also be prescribed for angina, which is usually caused by arrhythmia (which is a change in the normal electrical impulses of the heart).  

Atenolol will, of course, lower your blood pressure.  

If it was "hinted" at that you may need a pacemaker, then they are worried about you irradict heart rate.  A pacemaker will help keep your heart rates at an optimal level, while both working out and when at rest.