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How did you wean off Metoprolol?
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Feb 21 1:08pm | Replies (543)Comment receiving replies
Getting off beta blockers abruptly is dangerous. At least that is what my cardiologist warned me not to do when I was suffering from a severe form of A-fib. He wanted me to reduce my dose since it was very high (80mg of Sotalol 4x per day)...but what I needed to keep the wild A-fib steady. Over a month plus daily aerobic exercise (treadmill) at the gym and I was able to gradually reduce the dose to....zero! The cardiologist said that the A-fib would be back since he had never seen such an extreme case as mine. I didn't have 3 steady beats in a row. Well, I proved him wrong. It is 24 years later and I have occasional blips...but no A-fib.
I am a strong believer in taking charge of one's health and so I read everything I can on a condition that affects me. The cardiologist told me to avoid stimulants so I have NEVER drunk coffee or any drink with caffeine including tea. I avoid alcohol...I have none! I do not take decongestants or freezing at the dentist that has ephedrine in it. I avoid chocolate and take only a small amount of sugar if at all. And this keeps my heart steady. What I really credit for my recovery is the exercise. I went religiously to the gym to go on their treadmill every morning. I was actually afraid to stop going and continued for 4 month, 3 months after I was off the beta blockers. Then I went just 2 - 3 times per week.
I have a friend with A-fib who will not give up coffee or alcohol. He prefers to take a beta blocker every day. Lifestyle changes can usually help if not cure many conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, hives, arrhythmias, food intolerances and many chronic conditions.
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Sotalol is a special Beta Blocker with Anti-Arrhythmic properties at higher doses. It requires, at least in recent times, a hospital stay of 3 days to initiate when used as an Anti-Arrhythmic (i.e. higher doses), since by changing the timing of the heart's electrical signal, as visualized on an EKG, it can create dangerous rhythms.
""Sotalol - Class III antiarrhythmic drug - also exerts beta blocking effect (inhibits beta adrenergic stimulation).
Do not confuse Sotalol with conventional beta blockers (which have no effect on heart rhythm), since Sotalol has profound pro-arrhythmic effects owing to its prolongation of the QT interval.""
In general, Beta Blockers are the first line of drugs tried in Afib, according to the article paraphrased above. Beta Blockers slow the heart rate by acting on the SA Node (where heart beats normally originate from) and the AV Node (the doorway for electrical signals from the top of the heart to the bottom). Athletes, and people that are physically fit, may have natural methods, via the Vagus Nerve (Vagal Tone) that slow the transmission of Atrial Fibrillation signals from the top of the heart to the bottom. Being physically fit is one thing, I read blog entries from an ElectroPhysiologist that says too much exercise can damage the heart, and he discusses his personal experience with it that occurred during a bike race or endurance ride.
I'm happy that you've worked through your afib. Great story. My afib has been quiet for weeks, but started kicking up the last few days. Had my fingers crossed it was going to self correct, but not yet. Keeping my fingers crossed, a term used by seemingly all in England, or all of the YouTube shows we watch from there.
And on YouTube, there are doctors on with information on Afib. I'd advise people to consult their doctors if they'd like to try a different approach, but some of the Doctor based YouTube shows on afib are worth the watch.