rate control vs rhythm control

[Iamfuzzyduck]

What is the difference between rate control meds and rhythm control meds? Is propranolol an antiarrhythmia med or a rate control med, it is a beta blocker.... I thought it was a rate control med?

Thanks!

[BobD Volunteer]

Basically any "lol" is a beta blocker ie rate control . Some such as sotalol do have some antiarrhythmic ablities however. Why not go to our main website and read our fact sheet on AF related drugs (AF Association) .

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to BobD]

Thanks, it is just that my post ablation nurse does not want to prescribe me propranolol and to quote ‘ This is not a routine antiarrhythmic medication’. Even though I find it works wonderfully as a short term rescue medication especially at altitude. I was reluctantly prescribed it on my fourth request…

[Hidden in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

It's an 'old' beta blocker that isn't targeted for arrythmias. I too love it. I was prescribed it years ago when I had Labyrinthitus and have found it very useful for mild anxiety with zero side effects for me, which is unusual as I'm super sensitive to medications.

When I was diagnosed with AFib I was prescribed Bisoprolol which is the (or one of the) front line rate control med prescribed for AFib. I couldn't tolerate it at all - even the lowest dose made me fall over. My regular HR is on the low side and I have low/normal BP and Biso can have an effect on BP.

I personally requested my GP prescribe me Propranolol as a PiP (along with the Flecainide I also take as a PiP) and I've found it does the job really well for me. I recently had an appointment with Mr Hunter, a highly regarded cardio thoracic surgeon who performs the mini maze here in the UK, and he asked me about my meds. I told him I take Propanolol and he seemed to think that was perfectly fine. He was the one who pointed out the effect Bisoprolol can have on BP and he said that Propanolol is a good option.

So I say stick to your guns! There's no reason why you shouldn't have the medication that suits you if it does the job.

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I don't know why my post ablation nurse is being so strange about it! But it does work well for me!!

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to BobD]

Hi

I understand that BBs are BP controllers.

CCBs are H/Rate controllers.

No point in raising and raising BBs for H/Rate when a low dose CCB will do a better task of it.

cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)

[mjames1]

Propranolol, a beta blocker, is primarily a rate control drug although it may have some anti-arrhythmic properties. This as opposed to a drug like Flecainide or Amiodarone, which are primarily rhythm control drugs.

Jim

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim, this is what my nurse said

‘ This is not a routine antiarrhythmic medication however and you should follow up with a local primary care provider or cardiologist’

I want it for rate control as it works for me on the rare occasions I need it. He did reluctantly prescribe it, and I have made an appointment with cardiology who referred me to an EP last time because they are the ones ‘who know about afib’. I feel like I am chasing my tail…

[mjames1 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Even though my ablation was success, I always have a rate control drug(s) and an anti-arrhythmic in my bag of tricks. For rate control I have fast acting Diltiazem tabs as well as Metoprolol and for rhythm control/PIP conversion, I have Flecainide.

Personally, I can't tolerate Propranolol (or most beta blockers) however it should be find for rate control and my understanding is that at certain doses it might even be an alternate to Flecaindide as a PIP.

When it comes to meds, my philosophy is to not only keep stock of what you need, but keep in stock what you might need. Some docs don't get that, but they probably never had an afib episode.

Jim

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to mjames1]

And I rarely need these meds but propranolol works how I want if to! I don’t like metoprolol and bispoprolol I have but haven’t tried it. But I know i can tolerate propanolol as a pip! Thanks for your input!

[mjames1 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Then, as the old ad says, "Don't leave home without it" 😀

Jim

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to mjames1]

But I did, and that is how I discovered propranolol 🤣

[MeganMN in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

I have always appreciated Propranolol. Sad for me it has stopped working. It always just stopped the force of the contraction so that I could relax and sleep when my SVT/PACs were plugging away. I will always keep some, call it a security blanket.....

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to MeganMN]

Well described! Yes, that is how it works for me too! So I can sleep when my heart does strange things!

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Looking up Propranolol is a Beta Blocker stops Adrenalin spreading into your heart but specialises in preventing headaches and anxiety.

I take my Bisoprolol to control BP. 2.5mg PM was the correct dose controlling for bP.

I take CCB Diltiazem 120mg AM for the control of rapid (186 and 156 ) h/rate day.

Diltiazem acts like an antiarrhymnic med which is safer than Flex.... By slowing the h/rate it leads to slower AF rhythmn.

The question is it the rhymn that causes symptoms or h/rate.

Mine is h/rate. Now controlled to 60bpm Day . I was able to have the 2 operations that I needed (not heart) when the anaesthetists tested that I was under 100bpm.

Any higher h/rate over 100 on rest needs controlling. CCB calcium channel blocker blocks calcium from entering the heart.

For me it was the wonder drug introduced by a private recommended heart specialist.

cheri JOY 75 (NZ)

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Interesting about propranolol helping with headaches! I am glad you have found something that helps you!

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Hi

Yes basically it helps with hypertension. As I'm not an anxious person normal times and my temp is low at 36.5 normal, I don't suffer from headaches and anxiety and I guess that is why 2.5 mg Bisoprolol is fine to balace my hyper.

But found to have a soft systollic heart murmur in 2022. No one else diagnosed that.

Is that a white horse in your circular pic or a DUCK.

Why fuzzy..... duck?

chery Joy

My grandpa named me as Joy. ..........to the world. 1st girl!

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

I don't know why the name, just a quick name on another forum so I kept it without thinking into it too much! My name is Anne-Marie, fourth child and third daughter to my parents. Joy is a pretty name, I love it! One of my favorite friends is called Joy. I don't know what is in the picture, a randomly assigned photo by the forum!

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Hi Fuzzy Duck

Thanx soooo much.

Actually we have the same circled picture!

Thinking about a Fuzzy Duck an illustration comes up with a soft, feathered layered duck to stroke and talk to!

But unfortunarely my 2nd name is Marilyn and I would rather have had MARIE. Lucky you.

Why do folks sometimes call me Joyce.? Yuck.

In facr Mum wanted Margaret Rose but her big sister said no I'm calling my child Margaret Rose. Nancy went on to have 3 boys in a row so Mum called my sister 20 months younger Margaret Rose.

Thank goodness.

She gets called Marg, Maggie, and initials were MT!

Ha ha.

And as a School Ma'm

she is so bossy!

cherie JOY

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Hi

Out of interest I was reading a book and this single girl was BBs to relax and enjoy her 1st date!

When diagnosed with Essential Tremor in my left hand the Specialist told me my med could be either a BB or small wineglass of Red Wine!

cherio JOY

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Yes, it helps my daughter with her anxiety and heart arrhythmias. I don't have anxiety but I do have headaches on occasion..the red wine remedy sounds better than a BB!!

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Hi

You know that alcohol is a NO NO with AF.

Also I am a Baha'i lass so I learn not to drink alcohol.. I enjoy the unfermented dark red grape McCoys Juice no added sugar.

cheri JOY

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

I don't know much about the Baha'i faith, but it sounds interesting...I am also learning about alchohol and afib!

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Hi

Privately I will send you some interesting details about our united worship centres around the world as we believe in UNITY, PEACE, EQUALITY and JUSTICE. We have just completed PAPA NEW GUINEA's house of worship and at the Universal House of Worship is the new Grandson of our God's Prophet Shrine where his soul remains in Haifa, Israel and the Universal Baha'i Gardens. Just wondrous and beautiful. I went on my Pilgrimage in 1997 to Haifa. I stayed in the YHA at Mt. Carmel . The gardeners were from all religions.

We believe that in each 100 year cycle a new prophet is sent to earth to embrace the above and relate to our times here on earth. Prophets following Jesus are Mohammad and Baha'u'llah (declared by The Bab).

Easier via email to email. I will put this up privately, Fuzzy Duck. Soft, fluffy and quaint.

cheri JOY