Why beta blockers or calcium blockers

[Phil1869]

I guess this may have been covered before but I am curious to why we are often prescribed Beta blockers or calcium blockers for irregular heart beats. In the bumpf that comes with the meds they say they are used for things like angina or chest pain but little about palpitations except under the warnings section. Should we be on anti arrhythmic meds instead?

[LizWil]

The beta blockers do t seem to be working anymore ...my heart rate is down to 46 bpm and I’m exhausted!

[mark5864 in reply to LizWil]

My heart rate is 50 so I know how you feel . My niece who is a nurse told me your not supposed to be on a beta blocker if heart rate is under 60 because your tired all the time . Iam going to see new heart dr and see what he says

[Polski]

A beta blocker slows down the high heart rate, so it does not stress the heart so much, which could ultimately cause damage to the heart. However if it slows it down too much when the heart is beating normally, then we become very tired.

I suggest you ask your doctor if you can decrease your dose, so that you can live normally, but still benefit from the slowing process when the heart is racing away in an arrhythmia such as AF.

[Marty0001]

Hi

I'm on a calcium blocker verapamil never tried a beta blocker as yet.

These palpitations really scare me and have changed my outlook on life.

Can I ever live a normal life again is my question.

Regards Marty.

[Gillie12 in reply to Marty0001]

Know exactly how you feel, I suffer from ectopics they plague my life. Am on slow propranolol 80mcg twice a day, they work most of the time but like now I can’t sleep as the ectopics are relentless. I have been to A&e with bigeminy and am under a consultant but they can’t ablate it as it’s in a difficult and dodgy place to reach so at the moment it’s keep taking the pills!! I am anxious they might stop working completely as did the fast release ones. I’m not sure what the next step will be. This condition over shadows my life and can see it does with most people on this site hence reason we’re on here I guess but it is a comfort we are not alone. I hope you get some comfort to that we are all surviving! 😊. Gill

[Dogdays in reply to Marty0001]

Hi Marty I have been prescribed half securon veraprimil

hr but have been too scared to take them so trying to live with too many eptopics how have you found them I’m just so tired all the time heart rate usually 60 but with the pvc it goes down to 46

[Marty0001 in reply to Dogdays]

I know how taking medication can be scary of the side effects.These PVCs and ectopics can make me feel weak and lightheaded and it really gets me down.

Thanks for your reply hope you are feeling ok and keep well.

Regards Martin

[Dogdays]

Thanks, did you have many side effects with them

[Marty0001 in reply to Dogdays]

Sorry I didn’t have any side effects hope you are doing well I’m still struggling with this heart flutter thing really effects me.

I didn’t realise you asked me about side effects I haven’t checked this site for ages.