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I Have Been Taking Atenolol 50mg For Over 27 Years
Question: I have been taking atenolol 50mg for over 27 years now and I do get the odd flutter or skipped beats but lately I am having this skipped beats quite often and when I get down its seems my heart changes rhythm. I have also noticed that the sensations in my heart have become worse since I donated blood two weeks ago. I hadn't donated for ages and although my haemoglobin levels were normal about 15 I went on and gave blood. I don't feel dizzy, out of breath and I have no chest pains at all its just the fluttering and changing of heart rhythm. I am a bit scared and since I suffer now and again from anxiety I am not dealing with this very well. Also noticed that most of the skipped beats happen when I go out for a walk. I love walking and its hardly ever happened before whilst walking. Got my heart checked out by a GP who after examining me didn't find anything to worry about in fact he said that maybe my heart is coping with the effects of donating the blood after not donating for over two years. I take 50mg atenolol for mild hypertension every morning although this evening I have also taken a 25mg one hope this is ok. I am pending to be seen by a cardiologist in August should I wait til then ?
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I have been taking atenolol 50mg for over 27 years now and I do get the odd flutter or skipped beats but lately I am having this skipped beats quite often and when I get down its seems my heart changes rhythm. I have also noticed that the sensations in my heart have become worse since I donated blood two weeks ago. I hadn't donated for ages and although my haemoglobin levels were normal about 15 I went on and gave blood. I don't feel dizzy, out of breath and I have no chest pains at all its just the fluttering and changing of heart rhythm. I am a bit scared and since I suffer now and again from anxiety I am not dealing with this very well. Also noticed that most of the skipped beats happen when I go out for a walk. I love walking and its hardly ever happened before whilst walking. Got my heart checked out by a GP who after examining me didn't find anything to worry about in fact he said that maybe my heart is coping with the effects of donating the blood after not donating for over two years. I take 50mg atenolol for mild hypertension every morning although this evening I have also taken a 25mg one hope this is ok. I am pending to be seen by a cardiologist in August should I wait til then ?
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h
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your extra heart beats could be related to the blood donation and the inability of your body to cope with it.
So, if this is the case, your situation will improve spontaneously in a couple of weeks (the time needed by your body to produce the amount of blood).
I would also like to know if you have measured your blood pressure values? Low blood pressure can trigger extra heart beats too.
Anyway, I think that the situation is not an emergency and it can wait until consulting with your cardiologist.
In the meantime, I would recommend increasing the dose of Atenolol up to 50mg twice daily (100mg), gradually as you are doing, in order to help reduce the extra heart beats.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your extra heart beats could be related to the blood donation and the inability of your body to cope with it.
So, if this is the case, your situation will improve spontaneously in a couple of weeks (the time needed by your body to produce the amount of blood).
I would also like to know if you have measured your blood pressure values? Low blood pressure can trigger extra heart beats too.
Anyway, I think that the situation is not an emergency and it can wait until consulting with your cardiologist.
In the meantime, I would recommend increasing the dose of Atenolol up to 50mg twice daily (100mg), gradually as you are doing, in order to help reduce the extra heart beats.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your extra heart beats could be related to the blood donation and the inability of your body to cope with it.
So, if this is the case, your situation will improve spontaneously in a couple of weeks (the time needed by your body to produce the amount of blood).
I would also like to know if you have measured your blood pressure values? Low blood pressure can trigger extra heart beats too.
Anyway, I think that the situation is not an emergency and it can wait until consulting with your cardiologist.
In the meantime, I would recommend increasing the dose of Atenolol up to 50mg twice daily (100mg), gradually as you are doing, in order to help reduce the extra heart beats.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your extra heart beats could be related to the blood donation and the inability of your body to cope with it.
So, if this is the case, your situation will improve spontaneously in a couple of weeks (the time needed by your body to produce the amount of blood).
I would also like to know if you have measured your blood pressure values? Low blood pressure can trigger extra heart beats too.
Anyway, I think that the situation is not an emergency and it can wait until consulting with your cardiologist.
In the meantime, I would recommend increasing the dose of Atenolol up to 50mg twice daily (100mg), gradually as you are doing, in order to help reduce the extra heart beats.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr Sharka thanks for your prompt reply. You mention that it could be due to the blood donation if this were to be the case would you advice not giving blood anymore unless by haemoglobin were to go dangerously high ? Bear in mind that I gave my blood exactly 2 weeks ago today and not any better with the skipped beats. In any case I think I should have been warned by the hospital before hand and tell you what they are not going to get my blood again cos I just don't want to go through these episodes again. My blood pressure is normally round about 70-80 systolic and 112 diastolic. In fact since I take atenolol its never been high. My systolic was in the low nineties before I started taking the relevant meds. If I increase the medication by an extra 50mg which would be double the dose I am taking now wouldn't that lower my blood pressure to much or even slow my heartbeat to much ???? How about taking the 50mg in the morning and the 25mg in the evening ? And what would be the ideal time span between the morning dosage and the evening one ? Thanks
Hi Dr Sharka thanks for your prompt reply. You mention that it could be due to the blood donation if this were to be the case would you advice not giving blood anymore unless by haemoglobin were to go dangerously high ? Bear in mind that I gave my blood exactly 2 weeks ago today and not any better with the skipped beats. In any case I think I should have been warned by the hospital before hand and tell you what they are not going to get my blood again cos I just don't want to go through these episodes again. My blood pressure is normally round about 70-80 systolic and 112 diastolic. In fact since I take atenolol its never been high. My systolic was in the low nineties before I started taking the relevant meds. If I increase the medication by an extra 50mg which would be double the dose I am taking now wouldn't that lower my blood pressure to much or even slow my heartbeat to much ???? How about taking the 50mg in the morning and the 25mg in the evening ? And what would be the ideal time span between the morning dosage and the evening one ? Thanks
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, it is true that blood donation when Hemoglobin levels are high is really safe.
From the other hand this procedure is therapeutic in cases of very high Hemoglobin levels, in order to help prevent blood clotting.
Coming to this point, as it is two weeks since your blood donation, I don't think that this is the cause underlying your complaints.
Increased anxiety can be the cause of these extra heart beats. You should know that this happens in every healthy persons, but is more prominent in more sensitive persons.
Coming to this point, I find it reasonable to increase atenolol dose as tolerated.
You can start by taking 50mg in the morning and 25 mg in the evening, in a 12 hours space between the doses.
If skipped heart beats persist, you can try to increase the dose further to 50mg twice daily. If your blood pressure and heart rate drop with such increase in the dose, you can reduce the dose again and continue with 50mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, it is true that blood donation when Hemoglobin levels are high is really safe.
From the other hand this procedure is therapeutic in cases of very high Hemoglobin levels, in order to help prevent blood clotting.
Coming to this point, as it is two weeks since your blood donation, I don't think that this is the cause underlying your complaints.
Increased anxiety can be the cause of these extra heart beats. You should know that this happens in every healthy persons, but is more prominent in more sensitive persons.
Coming to this point, I find it reasonable to increase atenolol dose as tolerated.
You can start by taking 50mg in the morning and 25 mg in the evening, in a 12 hours space between the doses.
If skipped heart beats persist, you can try to increase the dose further to 50mg twice daily. If your blood pressure and heart rate drop with such increase in the dose, you can reduce the dose again and continue with 50mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, it is true that blood donation when Hemoglobin levels are high is really safe.
From the other hand this procedure is therapeutic in cases of very high Hemoglobin levels, in order to help prevent blood clotting.
Coming to this point, as it is two weeks since your blood donation, I don't think that this is the cause underlying your complaints.
Increased anxiety can be the cause of these extra heart beats. You should know that this happens in every healthy persons, but is more prominent in more sensitive persons.
Coming to this point, I find it reasonable to increase atenolol dose as tolerated.
You can start by taking 50mg in the morning and 25 mg in the evening, in a 12 hours space between the doses.
If skipped heart beats persist, you can try to increase the dose further to 50mg twice daily. If your blood pressure and heart rate drop with such increase in the dose, you can reduce the dose again and continue with 50mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, it is true that blood donation when Hemoglobin levels are high is really safe.
From the other hand this procedure is therapeutic in cases of very high Hemoglobin levels, in order to help prevent blood clotting.
Coming to this point, as it is two weeks since your blood donation, I don't think that this is the cause underlying your complaints.
Increased anxiety can be the cause of these extra heart beats. You should know that this happens in every healthy persons, but is more prominent in more sensitive persons.
Coming to this point, I find it reasonable to increase atenolol dose as tolerated.
You can start by taking 50mg in the morning and 25 mg in the evening, in a 12 hours space between the doses.
If skipped heart beats persist, you can try to increase the dose further to 50mg twice daily. If your blood pressure and heart rate drop with such increase in the dose, you can reduce the dose again and continue with 50mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi I was assigned Dr Sharka yesterday (Cardiologist) I explained my problem to him so I am not going to go through everything again as you guys have my records. I was also told I could continue with him. What seemed like ecoptic beats or skipped beats I have noticed tonight sitting down relaxed watching tv that it more like a vibration or like my heart suddenly shakes or flutters, like my whole heart trembling for a split second. I am anxious and quite worried about this can you please help ?
Hi I was assigned Dr Sharka yesterday (Cardiologist) I explained my problem to him so I am not going to go through everything again as you guys have my records. I was also told I could continue with him. What seemed like ecoptic beats or skipped beats I have noticed tonight sitting down relaxed watching tv that it more like a vibration or like my heart suddenly shakes or flutters, like my whole heart trembling for a split second. I am anxious and quite worried about this can you please help ?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This feeling could be related to anxiety or to cardiac arrhythmia.
Anyway, it doesn't seem to be anything serious as long as you don't have shortness of breath or lightheadedness.
For this reason, I would just recommend increasing the dose of atenolol, as I recommended in our previous thread.
Try not to think about it !
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This feeling could be related to anxiety or to cardiac arrhythmia.
Anyway, it doesn't seem to be anything serious as long as you don't have shortness of breath or lightheadedness.
For this reason, I would just recommend increasing the dose of atenolol, as I recommended in our previous thread.
Try not to think about it !
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This feeling could be related to anxiety or to cardiac arrhythmia.
Anyway, it doesn't seem to be anything serious as long as you don't have shortness of breath or lightheadedness.
For this reason, I would just recommend increasing the dose of atenolol, as I recommended in our previous thread.
Try not to think about it !
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This feeling could be related to anxiety or to cardiac arrhythmia.
Anyway, it doesn't seem to be anything serious as long as you don't have shortness of breath or lightheadedness.
For this reason, I would just recommend increasing the dose of atenolol, as I recommended in our previous thread.
Try not to think about it !
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thanks again by cardiac arrhythmia you mean some problem with the heart itself ? No thankfully I don't have shortness of breath or lightheadedness although for example I was in a shop couple of weeks back before this episodes of flutterings, skipped beats etc got worse and I knelt down to check an article and when I got up I did feel la bit dizzy but just thought my blood pressure must be low this morning. Other than the odd thing like this I don't feel any lightheadedness. The sudden vibration or shakening of the heart can be scary and it does condition your everyday living and I hate that cos I love going for long walks. Went to my GP yesterday and I told him what you recommended so he gave me a pack of 25mg atenolol which I have started taking in the evenings apart from the 50mg in the morning.
Thanks again by cardiac arrhythmia you mean some problem with the heart itself ? No thankfully I don't have shortness of breath or lightheadedness although for example I was in a shop couple of weeks back before this episodes of flutterings, skipped beats etc got worse and I knelt down to check an article and when I got up I did feel la bit dizzy but just thought my blood pressure must be low this morning. Other than the odd thing like this I don't feel any lightheadedness. The sudden vibration or shakening of the heart can be scary and it does condition your everyday living and I hate that cos I love going for long walks. Went to my GP yesterday and I told him what you recommended so he gave me a pack of 25mg atenolol which I have started taking in the evenings apart from the 50mg in the morning.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that this does not seem to be anything serious ( any serious cardiac arrhythmia).
The feeling of vibration or shakening of the heart, can be related to extra heart beats. Anxiety can trigger this situation too.
I think that with the increase in the dose of atenolol, your situation is going to improve visibly.
The lightheadedness could be explained with low blood pressure, especially when standing up from sitting position or bending. Dehydration can trigger this situation too.
For this reason, I recommend taking plenty of water to stay well hydrated.
I hope you will find this answer helpful!
Please let me know in case of any other uncertainties!
p.s.: I am sorry for the delay in answering but has been on a night shift and still working at the hospital.
Please try to stay safe!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that this does not seem to be anything serious ( any serious cardiac arrhythmia).
The feeling of vibration or shakening of the heart, can be related to extra heart beats. Anxiety can trigger this situation too.
I think that with the increase in the dose of atenolol, your situation is going to improve visibly.
The lightheadedness could be explained with low blood pressure, especially when standing up from sitting position or bending. Dehydration can trigger this situation too.
For this reason, I recommend taking plenty of water to stay well hydrated.
I hope you will find this answer helpful!
Please let me know in case of any other uncertainties!
p.s.: I am sorry for the delay in answering but has been on a night shift and still working at the hospital.
Please try to stay safe!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that this does not seem to be anything serious ( any serious cardiac arrhythmia).
The feeling of vibration or shakening of the heart, can be related to extra heart beats. Anxiety can trigger this situation too.
I think that with the increase in the dose of atenolol, your situation is going to improve visibly.
The lightheadedness could be explained with low blood pressure, especially when standing up from sitting position or bending. Dehydration can trigger this situation too.
For this reason, I recommend taking plenty of water to stay well hydrated.
I hope you will find this answer helpful!
Please let me know in case of any other uncertainties!
p.s.: I am sorry for the delay in answering but has been on a night shift and still working at the hospital.
Please try to stay safe!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that this does not seem to be anything serious ( any serious cardiac arrhythmia).
The feeling of vibration or shakening of the heart, can be related to extra heart beats. Anxiety can trigger this situation too.
I think that with the increase in the dose of atenolol, your situation is going to improve visibly.
The lightheadedness could be explained with low blood pressure, especially when standing up from sitting position or bending. Dehydration can trigger this situation too.
For this reason, I recommend taking plenty of water to stay well hydrated.
I hope you will find this answer helpful!
Please let me know in case of any other uncertainties!
p.s.: I am sorry for the delay in answering but has been on a night shift and still working at the hospital.
Please try to stay safe!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks a lot for your help its been quite reassuring. One my question though I forgot to ask. Why do I get this arrhythmias also when I kneel down or get down near the floor to fetch something or tie my shoelaces for example ? I think with this question I have covered most of my queries. Thanks again.
Thanks a lot for your help its been quite reassuring. One my question though I forgot to ask. Why do I get this arrhythmias also when I kneel down or get down near the floor to fetch something or tie my shoelaces for example ? I think with this question I have covered most of my queries. Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This may be explained with acid reflux, which is triggering by bending over.
You should know that acid reflux can also trigger extra heartbeats.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need it!
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This may be explained with acid reflux, which is triggering by bending over.
You should know that acid reflux can also trigger extra heartbeats.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need it!
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This may be explained with acid reflux, which is triggering by bending over.
You should know that acid reflux can also trigger extra heartbeats.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need it!
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This may be explained with acid reflux, which is triggering by bending over.
You should know that acid reflux can also trigger extra heartbeats.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need it!
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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