Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

I am 54 years old. Female. Living with SVT ,on metoprolol for ten years. Recently episodes have ramped up. Cardiologist appointment tomorrow. Very nervous at this point. Haven’t ever been this anxious before and that’s making things much worse. They want to put me on flecainide and I’m terrified. Anyone out there have any experience on this drug ?

Hello, I am new to the group (also wrote a post in another chat). I am here because I have PVCs. I did have a heart attack in the past, and the PVCs started sometime after that.

@mmst4 Metoprolol is a beta blocker. Specifically, it blocks the beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart and prevents your heart from racing, especially when you are emotionally or physically stressed and your adrenal glands, which sit atop each kidney, secrete more of the fight-or-flight hormone called adrenalin (epinephrine in some medical circles). The results are two: slower rate and less forceful contractions when they happen...at that slower rate. Accordingly, metoprolol is a 'rate control' medication, and it is also sometimes prescribed for 'incipient hypertension' because of that one property, less forceful contractions.

Your physician must have done a pretty comprehensive assessment of you and decided that metoprolol, at least initially, and for now, is worth trialing to see how it works for the desired effect, but also that it doesn't make you truly miserable and not want to live anyway...or at least to continue to take it voluntarily. If you find that your spidey sense is telling you the metoprolol is degrading your performance in some measurable way, let him/her know!

@ness125
Thank you for your input. You are the first person I’ve checked with that has gotten along with the metoprolol. My husband takes it and has been very unhappy with the effects it has on him. It’s hard enough trying to stay active without taking something that will make me tired. I’ve been praying about it and that has helped. Thanks again.

@mmst4 Hello, I was diagnosed with an incomplete RBBB. I’m a healthy 72 year old female and have had PVC’s since I was in my 30’s. No other heart issues. Was on Atenolol for a long time until the PVC’s became more frequent. I was switched to Dilitiazem 120 mg daily which didn’t help much. My cardiologist added Metroprolol 25 mg daily. I was hesitant to take it, but I’ve been taking it a few weeks and I believe it’s helping and so far no side effects. I still get PVC’s but not as many. I’m not saying that Metroprolol will work for you, but I wanted to give you my input and I hope it helps.

Hello! I’m going by name MMST4.
Diagnosed w/RBBB. The increasing episodes led me to cardiologist. He prescribed metoprolol 25mg. I haven’t started it because I didn’t like symptoms assoc. With it. I went off caffeine and very eat minimal chocolate. I drink 2 redd’s hard apple a week when I visit mom. I am currently trying to increase exercise I read on this site someone said it worked for them. My main concern is am I doing damage to my heart by not taking med. I’m 66yrs old. I read it causes tiredness, possible depression, dizziness. Im healthy otherwise.

Thanks, @jtchip That makes sense. She struggles to pace herself and pushes too hard at times. Your comment is a good guideline.

@bens1 I had a PFA on Nov 25th. To answer if it's day by day or week by week improvement, for me it was really both. The first few days I was tired and get winded. Slowly I increased my activities as suggested by my EP and some days I could see and feel the difference and other things were week by week. Tell her to listen to her body and if she's tired to rest and if she feels she needs to try to do something, let her. Don't hover over her. She'll know how she feels and what she needs to do. Good luck to both of you.

My cardiologist had me wear a Zio monitor for 2 weeks during which I experienced a 4 beat run of V-tach according to the report. My cardiologist said that I have nothing to worry about and scheduled me for my next appointment in a year. I was reassured at first, but now I am not so sure.

Thanks @gloaming. It would be great if she could feel the difference in a few days.