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What Causes Heart Rate Fluctuations After Weaning Off Of Atenolol?
My husband was on Atenolol for 7-8 years with Diovan for moderately high blood pressure. Since then he has lost and kept off 20 lbs. He is 71 years old with no hisory of heart problems. He is a very active man. Single handedly moved 1 ton of wood pellets last week. He is always active. He developed mild ED over the last 3 months. He weaned off of the Atenolol but probably not slowly enough. The weaning process was over about 6 weeks. His heart rate is now fluxuating between 85 and 95. He went to the doctor but never mentioned the ED issue. He doesn t want to take meds for ED. Our preference is to see if the ED issues will resolve on their own over the next few months. Being off of the Atenolol now for 3-4 weeks his blood pressure is excellent. The doctor recommended that he go back on Atenolol on the 50 mg. of Atenolol and wean more slowly so his heart rate will adjust. He doesn t want to go back on the full dose to wean off. Can the ED resolve in time and should he go back on the full 50 mg. to wean off over 3 months?
Mon, 22 Jun 2020
Hello,
As per my clinical experience, the erectile dysfunction should be settled down once the beta blocker is discontinued within a period of say 2-3 weeks only. As in case of your hubby, it s almost 6 weeks, I predict additional cause of erectile dysfunction over and above Atenolol.
Going back to full dose Atenolol and tapering over long course, does not seem good idea as current heart rate is between 85 to 95 which will be settled on its own. However, do discuss the need of any other cardiac supportive drug in his case if at all needed in replacement of beta blocker therapy.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel, General Surgeon
As per my clinical experience, the erectile dysfunction should be settled down once the beta blocker is discontinued within a period of say 2-3 weeks only. As in case of your hubby, it s almost 6 weeks, I predict additional cause of erectile dysfunction over and above Atenolol.
Going back to full dose Atenolol and tapering over long course, does not seem good idea as current heart rate is between 85 to 95 which will be settled on its own. However, do discuss the need of any other cardiac supportive drug in his case if at all needed in replacement of beta blocker therapy.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel, General Surgeon
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