Ventricular Tachycardia

Posted by twinktoes @twinktoes, Jan 31 9:17am

I was just recently diagnosed with this and put on Toporol XL. Please tell me your experience with this medication and diagnosis.

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Hi I was on metoprolol for the last 12 years , 100 mg . Recently new cardio changed to 200 than 300 mg . I really didn’t have any side effects . On carvedilol now but I think the other is better . I also have a pacemaker/ defib for protection .

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Toprol is a beta blocker just like metoprolol. It is meant to control heart rate, but also how forcefully the heart muscles contract, and that latter bit helps the BP if it's creeping up on you.

You'll have to see as you go. For now, Toprol is 'it' for you. If it really seriously and adversely affects your well-being, say your energy levels or how you sleep, or if it causes dizziness/syncope...then you must let your prescribing physician know immediately.

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9548/toprol-xl-oral/details
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I am taking 50mg per day for PACs, PVCs and a thoracic aneurysm-quite a smorgasbord. I think it disturbs my sleep and my heart rate drops into the high 40s at night. It also makes jogging harder as it zaps my stamina. On the other hand, I think it is also helping keep me alive by controlling blood pressure and extra heart beats.

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@jefftalley

I am taking 50mg per day for PACs, PVCs and a thoracic aneurysm-quite a smorgasbord. I think it disturbs my sleep and my heart rate drops into the high 40s at night. It also makes jogging harder as it zaps my stamina. On the other hand, I think it is also helping keep me alive by controlling blood pressure and extra heart beats.

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@jefftalley Has your caridolgist or EP suggested Entresto?

I am taking cervididol and Entresto. I was taking a different medication when Entresto came out which was specifically designed for heart failure. When I first started it boy did it cause fatigue. I was told to hang in there and sure enough in about 2 weeks my energy and stamina came back.

The Entresto does reduce your heart beat and BP. I had a pacemaker when started taking it but was set for 40 for bottom rate. This drug brought my heart rate down to that and pacemaker would kick in and I could feel it. So pace clinic kept raising my pacing to the level I felt comfortable with.

My BP was around 140/90 and went down to 90/60. Since I was not getting dizzy we left. Some weight gain and now is around 100 over high 60s. I have huge amounts of PVCs so we found pacing at 70 bpm was good for reducing pvcs and energy level. My problem is PVCs in LV that medication does not seem to help. Ablation is not something my EP wants to do until medications are tried. I just feel getting in rut now with so many medications.

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Hi Twinktoes Welcome to Connect, I had VT prior to Heart transplant and was on Amiodarone and Mexiletine for most of the 10 years I had VT. Along with a pacemaker with difibulator. Towards the end of my heart issues it was getting very difficult to control my arrythmias, so my EP put me on Sotalol also. Not recommended by my pharmacist though but my EP was running out of options. I had a total of about 8 ablations and it came down to Heart Transplant. But wanted to offer my experience to your topic so I'm more than happy to answer any questions. This was more than 6 years ago so it looks like there are some newer medications as I have not heard of Toporol XL so I have no experience with that one.

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@danab

Hi Twinktoes Welcome to Connect, I had VT prior to Heart transplant and was on Amiodarone and Mexiletine for most of the 10 years I had VT. Along with a pacemaker with difibulator. Towards the end of my heart issues it was getting very difficult to control my arrythmias, so my EP put me on Sotalol also. Not recommended by my pharmacist though but my EP was running out of options. I had a total of about 8 ablations and it came down to Heart Transplant. But wanted to offer my experience to your topic so I'm more than happy to answer any questions. This was more than 6 years ago so it looks like there are some newer medications as I have not heard of Toporol XL so I have no experience with that one.

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@danab I always appreciate your comments as you have really been through it all.

My EP never mentioned taking Sotalol. They did put me on Mexiletine 150mg (lowest dose) as it was advised to me much lower side affects including toxicity. It does not seem to be working though but they are doing a ECG and will determine to raise dose level if needed. They are looking at the percentage the pacemaker is able to pace the heart as the PVCs disrupt it.

I am unfamiliar with Toporol also but will asked about it with EP. I really trust my EP. He is the Director of Mayo Pace Clinic and a world renown EP who trains, gives lectures, and has written many books on electrophysiology.

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@jc76

@jefftalley Has your caridolgist or EP suggested Entresto?

I am taking cervididol and Entresto. I was taking a different medication when Entresto came out which was specifically designed for heart failure. When I first started it boy did it cause fatigue. I was told to hang in there and sure enough in about 2 weeks my energy and stamina came back.

The Entresto does reduce your heart beat and BP. I had a pacemaker when started taking it but was set for 40 for bottom rate. This drug brought my heart rate down to that and pacemaker would kick in and I could feel it. So pace clinic kept raising my pacing to the level I felt comfortable with.

My BP was around 140/90 and went down to 90/60. Since I was not getting dizzy we left. Some weight gain and now is around 100 over high 60s. I have huge amounts of PVCs so we found pacing at 70 bpm was good for reducing pvcs and energy level. My problem is PVCs in LV that medication does not seem to help. Ablation is not something my EP wants to do until medications are tried. I just feel getting in rut now with so many medications.

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My doc has not suggested Entresto, but I am also taking Lisinopril.

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Hiya I’m Dave 68yo male. First diagnosed in 2014 with non-ischemicdilatedcardiomyopathy & stageIV COPD/emphysema
stage1B NSCLC 2023. My chronic heart failure has always included arrhythmias pac’s v-t’s My daily heart meds are
Entresto 49/51(2x); Spironalactone25mg(2x); Jardiance10mg(2x);
Metoprolol25mg(2x)
The metoprolol(TOPROL XL) is a beta blocker intended to help lower blood pressure, v-tachs & stress on the heart. My BP runs 90/60 but at times will drop some so I gotta be watchful. Also they inserted an ICD defibrillator last January when my EF dropped below 25%. BTW, what was your diagnosis that led to the TOPROL? High BP?

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@dave56pa

Hiya I’m Dave 68yo male. First diagnosed in 2014 with non-ischemicdilatedcardiomyopathy & stageIV COPD/emphysema
stage1B NSCLC 2023. My chronic heart failure has always included arrhythmias pac’s v-t’s My daily heart meds are
Entresto 49/51(2x); Spironalactone25mg(2x); Jardiance10mg(2x);
Metoprolol25mg(2x)
The metoprolol(TOPROL XL) is a beta blocker intended to help lower blood pressure, v-tachs & stress on the heart. My BP runs 90/60 but at times will drop some so I gotta be watchful. Also they inserted an ICD defibrillator last January when my EF dropped below 25%. BTW, what was your diagnosis that led to the TOPROL? High BP?

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I was passing out… no high blood pressure. Heart flutters and chest pain! Thought I was having a heart attack landed me in urgent care and then seen cardiologist… then wore my heart monitor for 30 days and found my heart beat was 220 and diagnosed with VT lower PVC.

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I go back to cardiologist for another 2 week heart monitor with follow up… he did mention mapping and ablation. Unsure what will happen…

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