best medication for ectopic beats

[jonathan82]

I was looking at taking channel blockers for my thuds that I feel  but my HR is 61 to 58 BPM and my BP is Kinda low @ 120/85. I dont want to take anything that will lower the two anymore than what they are and I read that channel blockers do lower both as does beta blockers. Is there anything I can take without lowering.

[DeltaDawn23]

I had a problem taking beta blockers at first, but switched from Toprol XR to Atenolol and take 1 to 1-1/2  25 mg. tablets in 1/4's and keep a check on my bp and hr.  If they go too low, I delay the next dose.  It has worked for me.  I also don't think you have anything to worry about with your bp.  120 is normal, not low, so you have some room to work with.  My bp runs around 105 to 115 and my doctors are not concerned even if it drops to 95 or so.  I asked about hr -- mine sometimes gets down to the low 50's -- and the EP said it's more about how you feel than the numbers.  When I complained about the low bp, my family doctor said, "My little old ladies who keep their bp low are living into their 90's because they are not wearing their hearts out." Hope this is of some help -- good luck to you.

[oldtrout466]

Hi I take Flecainide for my ectopic beats -which I know isn't usually used unless they are very disabling. Propafenone is another similar drug and safer as it also has slight beta blocking effects but i couldn't tolerate it. As previous post says - your blood pressure isn't unduly low at all  -although you don't give your age - Mine is often 105/62 ish - hence any drug that further lowers BP is out of the question. the aim is to keep it at or below 120/80. (In the UK anyway that is the guideline) You don't mention the conditions you have measured your heart rate under -and what it goes up to with exercise. You may be very fit with a low HR. Ectopics always happen at lower heart rates - that's why we seem to find them so noticeable at night!

[is_something_wrong]

Your blood pressure is not very low. Usually, people don't get symptomatic unless systolic drops below 100, but this is highly individual. 85 diastolic is actually in the borderline high range. 120 systolic is just fine.

Calcium channel blockers don't lower the heart rate as much as beta blockers, and may work reducing premature beats, especially those that origin from the upper chambers (PACs). They lower the blood pressure some. A small dosage of beta blockers often help, and they don't slow the heart rate very much, but if the heart rate gets too slow, the premature beats often increase.

Other channel blockers (potassium, sodium) can have serious side effects and I doubt that doctors prescribe them for premature beats.

Ask your doctor or preferrably a cardiologist/internist. Of course, the best "treatment" with least side effects is to ignore the premature beats.

[oceanminded]

I just started on Metoprolol 25mg 2x/day which is a Beta Blocker. It seems to help my very frequent Pacs or at least make them more unnoticeable. My BP and pulse has barely gone down on it. I'm thinking of increasing my dose to 50mg on the really bad days. I would consider a low dose Beta Blocker to start with and really wouldn't worry about your BP and HR going too low. You can always spilt your dose in half or discontinue it if it causes you too many side effects. Of course always check with your Dr first.