 Long time atenolol user - suddenly experiencing slow heart rate
Hello - hoping someone can help me with this.
Can you develop a side effect from atenolol after using it for a long time. Specifically, can it suddenly start slowing my heart rate even though it has never done so in the past.
A little background will be useful. I have been on atenolol for almost 30 years. At 1st it was prescribed due to help with palpatations and racing heartbeat due to my mitral valve prolapse. As I have gotten older it is now also being used to control my borderline high BP
I take 2 25 mg tablets twice daily.
During the last several weeks, I have noticed my heart rate is going down into the low 60s (actually at 60 this morning) I know that sounds healthy, but I have always had a fast heart rate (generally in the low 80s resting) and being overweight, smoking and pretty much a couch potato I don't see where a healthy heartbeat would suddenly appear out of thin air.
Note that along with the slow heart rate, I also feel slightly light headed and fatigued.
Any help on this is very much appreciated as I have health anxiety and am scaring myself with this. Yes, I do have a doctor apt at the end of next month, but am hoping some additional info before then will help alieviate my worry until that happens.
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