Palpitations, R. Bundle Block and Metoprolol Effects

Hi Fifi! I find that many people, especially Americans rush to take drugs; maybe because with insurance, they are covered. And Big Pharma is mostly American and advertising on TV is relentless convincing people that they are in danger without drugs and their lives will be so much better if they take them. These strong arm, fear mongering ads are ridiculous, dangerous and unethical! Drugs are not the miracle solution by any stretch of the imagination. There are serious SIDE EFFECTS that Big Pharma tries to minimize.
When at all possible, which is not always the case, go the natural lifestyle modification/Prevention route. I had the most serious atrial fibrillation my cardiologist had ever seen. He put me on the maximum dose of beta blockers which made me feel 90 years old. My quality of life was not good. I did research and read that exercise (pushing the heart) could put it back into rhythm. After almost 2 years of misery on the beta blockers, I joined a gym and went every day except Sunday. I did 30 minutes of cardio and then stretches and weights for 65 minutes every day. Inside one month I was off ALL beta blockers. No drugs at all! My cardiologist was incredulous and told me that the Afib would return. He gave me good advice however and that was to keep away from all stimulants such as dental anaesthetics (I use a special one), decongestants for colds, chocolate, coffee, tea and alcohol and even excess sugar which gave me palpitations. I have been 98% adherent. The arrhythmia very rarely threatens with a few odd blips but I then get out and push myself with a vigorous walk. 24 years have passed now. I am 70 years old (today!) and don't want to ever be on beta blockers again.
For every malady I have always tried to go the lifestyle route first and foremost rather than opting immediately for the drug route. Keep in mind, American doctors have to cover their behinds. If they don't recommend a drug and 'something goes wrong', they can be sued for not having gone the drug route immediately. In Canada, some doctors who are responsible, will recommend lifestyle changes and a wait and see approach (for high BP losing weight, lowering salt intake, getting exercise). We are not litigious here in Canada. Suing a doctor even for wrongful death due to negligence doesn't result in much compensation. So doctors are willing to consider alternative therapies and taking a natural approach.
It is so important to do your own research and use common sense and to take responsibility for your own health. Good luck, Fifi!

Thanks, I really need to get back into my old workout, running and weights.
I just took my blood pressure and it is 137/95 and 73 pulse. I guess that is a bit high,
so I better push myself to exercise. I'll get it done today, thanks.
I used to have low blood pressure, this is shocking to me.

Welcome to Connect, @fifi007. I’d like to introduce you to a few members for each of your concerns, but before I do that I’d also like to share some information, which I hope will alleviate your worry about the palpitations.

I’ve had palpitations or tachycardia, (Supraventricular tachycardia) ever since I can remember, and I know how debilitating these episodes can get! A few years ago, I had a cardiac ablation procedure, (which “resets” the heart’s electrical circuit), as my episodes were getting prolonged, occurred too often, and I couldn’t the fast heart rate with any of the vagal maneuvers. Most people experience an improvement after SVT ablation, but there’s a fair chance that palpitations may return – as they have in my case – and the procedure can be repeated. But, here I am, and so far so good for the both of us, I should say:)
However, I don’t have a right bundle branch block (RBBB), and you might want to ask your doctor about how that might affect the palpitations.

For Palpitations...Meet @ajmario @ktcrosswalk1 @jigglejaws94 @loli @cheris @martishka @texas7777 @mikeyp, who have discussed living with palpitations. You may also wish to view these discussions on Connect:
– Supra Ventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) and Running https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supra-ventricular-tachycardia-psvt-and-running/
– Feeling Skipped Beats, Palpitations: What could this possibly be? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-could-this-possibly-be/

For RBBB...Please meet @eileena @balubeje @markjones and @rogue_doctor as they have shared their or their loved ones experiences. Here's some information from Mayo Clinic on bundle branch blocks:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bundle-branch-block/basics/definition/con-20027273
I’d sincerely encourage you to go through these conversations about Metoprolol, and feel free to join in and tag fellow members:
– Side Effects of Metoprolol? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/metoprolol/
– Weaning off Metoprolol https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weaning-off-metoprolol/

@fifi007, have you consulted with your doctor about stopping Metoprolol? How do you manage the palpitations?

Kanaaz,
I'm one of those with RBBB. Though I had one really bad repeated PVC my ablation got it back under control.

Did you have doubles or triples? I only had singles, but so often the blood bank picked up on them. I read that triples can cause death as an insufficient amount of blood is pumped and you die.

Leet me know if you did have the doubles or triples.

Hi: I do not know what doubles or triples mean. Can you tell me please.

Hello ..thanks for emailing me. I'm new and did not know anyone replied except for the first lady.
I am going to read all of these as time permits. Thanks
Changing Drs. this coming Friday...I have new questions to ask,thanks.

I have had heart palpitations for about twenty+ years. In the early years, the episodes were few and far between. I am now 64. I'd complain, check it out with a holter monitor, and was told I had skipped beats. About three years ago, the palpitations became much more troublesome, and frequent. A holter monitor detected atrial tachycardia. I was told I could choose to take a calcium channel blocker or try magnesium. Took magnesium and for a number of months that seemed to work. Then things worsened. Holter monitor now revealed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. The cardiologist said this definitely must be treated. That these arrythmias are dangerous and can get worse over time. Experiencing them, (and I have two kinds) is unpleasant. After going through a 10 month period of horrible stomach pain from 4 different beta-blockers, I was finally able to tolerate a low dose of metoprolol (12.5mgtwice a day). Like you, I have experienced hair loss which I find quite upsetting and it definitely started at some point after beginning metoprolol. Because it took me so long to adjust to the medication and because the low dose controls the arrythmia, (and I do not want an ablation procedure), I continue to take it. Also, calcium channel blockers actually made the arrythmia worse. My cardiologist said this is a disease, it needs to be treated. I have something wrong with the electrical system of the heart.

I have read that hair loss is a side effect of metoprolol. Why not ask your doctor about trying a different betablocker. Dont think the others have this same side effect. (e.g. bisoprolol or atenolol.) I have started wondering what I'd look like as a blonde (blonde wig, that is).

Hi.. My mom was diagonised with psvt sometimes back, drugs failed to work on her so she underwent catheter ablation procedure which was successful but a month after the procedure, during her periodic check ups she was told she had developed RBBB, so my question is has anyone experienced this and is any medication prescribed?