Recently prescribed Atenolol

[rosepod5]

Hello

I am 28 and currently waiting patiently for November to arrive which is when my cardiology referral appointment is for.

In order to help with controlling my symptoms (dizzy episodes, fatigue and breathless) so I can continue with work my GP prescribed a low dose of beta-blocker (Atenolol 25mg)

To my frustration, when I attend the doctors and they feel my pulse it is considered normal, maybe due to being more anxious.

However, using my mobile EKG monitor at home it always shows issues with my rhythm (images from this morning and now)

I have been taking the beta-blockers for 3 weeks now and haven’t noticed any difference in my rhythm. My heart rate was quite low when sleeping before taking the medication, can go as low as 34. It hasn’t dropped any lower since taking the medication.

Just wondered if there was any advise from others or success from taking beta-blocker.

[Padayn01]

Hi I take beta blockers for AF and heart rate can go as low as 44 for me usually when I lie down can I just ask what mobile you have to get a EKG reading? Are you in the states?

[rosepod5 in reply to Padayn01]

Hello, I’m from the UK and can buy small wireless EKG monitors which connect to your phone through an app. Most common one is ‘Kardia’

[Padayn01 in reply to rosepod5]

Oh thank you for this

[charlwood35]

Rose, if that is a Kardia reading, have you thought about paying the £5 and sending it off for the clinician review? That should tell you what arrhythmia that is - ventricular ectopics of some kind? They reply very promptly.

Have you also thought about investing £250 or so in a private consultation with a cardiologist (and ideally an EP)? 3 months is a bit of a wait with those symptoms. You would be able to slot back into the NHS subsequently. .....

[wilsond in reply to charlwood35]

That's what I did,and saw an EP within a week . I was very symptomatic at the time,but it was still hit and miss if they caught it on ecg. I had a Kardia( stupidly lost it!) And could email my consultant with readings.

[rosepod5 in reply to charlwood35]

Thank you, I do have a Kardia, the clinician review was sinus bradycardia and multiple ventricular ectopics.

I had approached a couple regarding a private consultation in the hope of any treatment being required to then go through the nhs with very little response or interest.

Sadly my GP has just advised I wait until November also but if symptoms worsen I was to go back.

[wilsond]

Beta.blockers slow the heart rate down but do not affect irregular rhythm. Xx

[Dondodoc]

Hi rosepod5, my kardia device shows AF almost every time or unclassified. Spent th £5 result came back as atrial ectopics. Consultant cardiologist at derby royal fitted 7 day monitor which confirmed multiple ectopics but no AF. Bisoprolol made no difference to rytham. Good luck.

[bayonnejoe1]

I have been on low dose Atenolol for five years. My cardiologist and I decided just to do rate control since my AF symptoms are minimal to none and I have never experienced an episode of tachycardia. I tolerate Atenolol sell at 25mg per day, but I do have side effects. Rising quickly makes me momentarily dizzy. Also, Atenolol has impacted imo my libido. At one time I was at 2x25mg and we cut back to reduce these side effects. Lastly, my cardiologist keeps an eye on the brachycardia side since my resting rate sometimes dips into the 40s.