PAT

[DiMaSm13]

Recently I have had two episodes where my heart has raced and I become nervous (like with that shakey feeling before you vomit).  I has occurred 2 times and lasted several hours each time.  I could tell when it started and stopped.  My doctor called it PAT and told me to do the valsava manuever and if they don't work then to take lopressor.  He did an EKG in the office and that is it.  My family is not happy with this diagnosis and I am fearful to take the lopressor without having a health care professional around.  Family and friends are saying holter, cardiologist and ED next time it occurs.  What do you think?  

[1marcell]

please get blood enzymes checked, my sis had heart attack and stroke after feeling like that and had to have a triple bypass!

[tom_h]

Regarding Lopressor.  The generic name for this drug is Metoprolol.  It is widely prescribed and easily tolerated.  I would not fear taking this medication.  Like myself, many of us here are on It and have been so for years.

Regarding your episodes. It may be very possible that you experienced PAT. It's also possible that you had an SVT episode.  In each case, Valsalva is often effective in converting it. In most cases, these episodes are not life threatening.  Along with my 50mg 2x/day dose of Lopressor (metoprolol), my GP told me to chew an extra dose when an SVT episode occured. I did this often, but my cardiologist informed me that itnprobably did little to help convert the SVT, and that it wouldn't work that quickly.  I believe you need to take this on a daily basis for it to be effective.

If this becomes a common event, you should consult with a cardiologist.  A 30 day wearable 2 lead recorder stands a better chance of capturing an event than a 24 HR. Holter.  Hope everything works out for you!