Can Beta Blockers Cause PVCs? - Heart Disorders Message Board

Leela_C · 10-11-2006, 11:06 AM

Well, I don't even know if I am having PVCs. I get these sensations and it feels like my heart just stops and then restarts again. It feels like it sinks down into my stomach. That sounds weird, but that is the only way I can describe it. Sometimes it takes my breath away and causes me to panic and other times I just ride with it. It only lasts a second or so. One time I was checking my pulse when it happened (I'm a constant pulse checker) and all of the sudden there was no pulse. I panicked and moved my hand from my wrist but then it was back. I don't know what the heck is going on. I have had all of the cardiac tests (except a cath) and everything has come back normal - just sinus tachycardia noted on monitors. I just had another holter Monday, but of course this didn't happen while I had it on.

Anyway - back to my original question. I never had these sensations (PVCs or whatever they are) until I started taking beta blockers. Has anyone else had a similar problem on beta blockers? It happens to me every day or sometimes every other day.

I also have a weird thing happen when I lay on my left side. My heart feels like it is flip flopping around. That can last for like 20-30 seconds. That did happen while I had the holter, so I'm anxious to see what the heck it was. I get that every night if I lay on my left side. Again, that didn't start happening until I started on beta blockers.

ljwhorfin · 10-11-2006, 12:06 PM

sounds like PVC's to me... laying on my left side already aggravates them... i tend to sleep on my right side to avoid them. I'm on a beta blocker, they are supposed to help PVC's but they occur as much for me before i started taking them as they do now.

The most common time i get them is when i get up in the morning to get some water or whatever then lay back down -- i'll almost always get an episode then. Perhaps it's because that is when my blood pressure is lowest?

the best cure for me is exercise, and on the occasion it still acts up xanax always takes care of them for me.

Lenin · 10-12-2006, 06:40 AM

Leela,

Not usually but as heart rate gets lower and lower, rhythm irregularities become more likely.
Don't blockade so much that your resting heart rate goes below 50...+60 is even better.

Leela_C · 10-12-2006, 07:13 AM

Thanks for the replies! Lenin - I actually had to drop my dose to half because my heart rate was getting too low. I now take 2.5mg of bisoprolol. Still, my resting rate is usually around 50. When I get up in the morning and start moving around my heart rate goes up to 90-100. If I drop my dose any lower I get tachycardia around 120. I can't stand my heart rate around 50, but I can't stand the tachycardia either. So I don't know what to do. My cardiologist still can't figure out why I have the tachycardia and why my heart rate varies so much. He has pretty much given up and just started treating me like I'm crazy. It drives me absolutely nuts!

Lenin · 10-13-2006, 07:06 AM

Leela,

Why not try a program of hard aerobic exercises. I think heart rate stabilizes nicely if regularly exposed to cardiac workouts. Almost as if it learns the time to speed up is when it is really necessary, like when sweating bullets on an elliptical trainer or stairmaster, but not when making a bed!