Metoprolol and seniors

About 13% of all seniors ARE on metoprolol (just a guess). They are taking it for arrythmia or just for 'incipient' hypertension that could stand a reduction but not with conventional hypertensive medicines.
https://elderlyguides.com/metoprolol-side-effects-elderly/
There is a good study dating back to 2008 that found that it is not considered to be great medicine to prescribe metoprolol to seniors unless there is a strong and compelling reason like ischemia or heart failure. Even so, I was a senior presenting with atrial fibrillation and was immediately prescribed metoprolol because, without any further diagnostics to check, my cardiologist feared it was ischemia. I am male and was older than 64 at the time, so a high risk for ischemia. Turns out I have no ischemia, but I remained on metoprolol for seven years before an ablation procedure stemmed the onset of AF.

Tks, I’m in same boat as you. The ablation topic has come up recently

@zeke2u I have had two ablations. The stats say that 25% of all first ablations fail to close the access to the pulmonary veins of the atrial endothelium, which is how the spurious electrical signals get to the atrium and cause it to beat. I was in the unlucky 25%, but a second ablation seven months later has me free of AF for 33 months now. They work if the patient is a good candidate and if the electrophysiologist is highly skilled and highly experienced. New EPs won't have the experience to do a great job, unfortunately, so shop around far and wide, travel if you must.

I am a senior and was prescribed metoprolol. I was 85 at the time. Now 86. While metoprolol was doing what it was supposed to do, I did not tolerate the drug very well. It made me very lethargic and my legs from the knees down were like lead weights that were just along for the ride. I was started on diltiazem and then was switched. I had no ill effects from diltiazem. I was on metoprolol for about 3 1/2 months and then had an ablation (PFA). About 2 months after the ablation and many conversations with my EP team I went off metoprolol. It was an almost overnight improvement. Felt generally better with no leg pain. I am now about 6 months post ablation with no recurrences of Afib. Thank You! I am on Eliquis mostly because of age.

Tks! Very helpful

@gloaming. I Just weaned off Metoprolol and feel quite a bit better. Don't feel so washed out since quitting. I'm still on Amlodipine and Losartan but my BP is still holding below 120/80 with a resting PR of 65-70. I've been on this metoprolol beta-blocker for years and am not sure I ever did need it. I started taking magnesium glycinate about 5-6 months ago and my heart palpitations have diminished considerably.

@gloaming Was prescribed it when I had my first 2 minute bout of Afib 5 years ago when I was 74. This was prescribed by my cardiologist and after taking it for 3 days and reading about potential side effects I called his office and told him I had no desire to continue to take the drug. Went into the office a few days later and discussed it with him and he agreed with my thoughts on it and never went into my mouth again.

It may serve a purpose for some but it requires a bit of though about taking it and depending on age and length of time on it, some serious discussion about it.

@lhabada May I please ask what mg of magnesium and how many times a day do you take it? Also do you have a favorite brand? Thank you so much!

Yep, I’m getting a CTA tomorrow so hopefully I can ask a different doctor about Metiprolol

Tks, I’ve been on it for two years now, so I’m trying to figure out how to get of it but my current cardiologist does not want me to go off it ?!