Beta-Blockers

[Jim P]

During the course of a class at my cardiac rehab session today, we were talking about target heart rates for exercising. The THR calculation method is different if a person is taking a beta-blocker. Then during the course of this conversation, it was stated that once a person starts taking a beta-blocker, that he/she can never stop taking it. I did not believe this. I started the beta-blocker in the hospital after VR surgery and intended to ask my cardiologist if I could stop taking this particular med (along with stopping the Amiodarone) during my upcoming (July) visit. I seemed to be in the minority on this. Maybe it was because I was the only AVR person there. All the others had undergone bypass surgeries for clogged arteries.

Just curious -- Are there any of you out there in VR-land who eventually stopped the beta-blocker meds on which you were started in the hospital? If so, how long after surgery did your doc allow you to stop?

I am fully aware that my cardiologist carries more weight in this decision, based on decades of experience.

 

[kbheart]

My cardiologist switched me from a beta blocker to a calcium channel blocker because he thought I might have variant angina about 6 months after my surgery. About a month ago he took me off of that so now I'm on neither. I've never heard of not being able to go off of beta blockers.

 

[debster913]

I've been on a beta-blocker for eight years both before and after my valve repair (atenolol, and now sotalol since last November). I'm taking this particular med because of heart rhythm issues--PVCs and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. My cardio has no plans to remove me from the medication altogether, but rather may decrease my daily dosage if I drop 8 pounds.

I think it's best to ask your cardio why you're on the meds, and his course of treatment for you.

Best,
Debi (debster913)

 

[Mary]

I was on Toprol XL for about six months, low dose, but the cardiologist agreed to stop the med after I developed really awful nightmares while on it.
My heart rate is fast again, but I'll live with it.

 

[Adrienne]

The only thing that I have heard is that if you have been taking beta blockers quite a while that you should not stop "cold turkey" but instead wean yourself off them.

 

[tprice54]

I;m sure others will pop in, but I seem to remember many have gone off Toprol XL post op. My first cardio had me taking 25 mg. per day before surgery, my second cardio took me off, but slowly...it took several days before I was off completely. I'm on it now post op down from 75 mg. to 25 mg., waiting to get off it completely!

 

[liam13]

toporol XL

toporol XL

I'm on 25 mg right now and plan to be off of beta blocker soon after surgery. I figure I am taking the medication because the valve is not working right causing the LV to work hard and up my BP. ONce the valve is fixed, the BP is back to normal (right now it tends in teh 145/80 range alot), no more toporol! I think some of my fatigue and lightheadedness is due to the toporol. My two cents anyway. Liam

 

[Philip B]

Dropping Betas

Dropping Betas

Beta blockers didn't work form. They put me on Toprol XL prior to surgery to reduce the risk of me blowing my aortic aneurysm. The Toprol caused a major rash all over my body. My cardio doc told me to stop taking the Toprol immediately.

When the rash finally cleared up he swtched me to another beta blocker, metroprol, which worked okay until I got hit with a rather bad bout with post traumatic stress syndrome a few weeks after surgery. Evidently, there's some research out there that suggests beta blockers can contribute to symptoms associated with depression. The doctor directed me to stop taking the metoprolol immediately and started me on diovan.

I guess this is the long way around to answer your question about being stuck on beta blockers for the rest of your life once you start; you can get off the beta blockers, but you probably need to visit with your cardio doc about the issue.

-Philip

 

[hensylee]

I had quad bypass - not valve replacement. I was on atenolol for years and then my dr put me on Toprol XL and it made me cough constantly so I asked to be put back on Atenolol (his nurse told me they are the same thing) and he did. Recently I asked him if I could stop one of the two 25 mg I was on, he said yes. I did and felt so much less tired than when I was on two. I might ask to go off the other but I don't think that will be allowed since I still have heart issues, unlike you with valve replacements. It may be that bypassers have to stay on them???

 

[savysmommy]

I was on one prior to surgery for a few months, and was taken off after surgery.

 

[aussigal]

I have been on BB's for about 2 years now...
I have no trouble with them and take 75mg twice a day (I also have high BP which they control).
My Cardio says I will be on BB's forever as he feels the protection they give my heart by slowing dow the forcefulness of the pumping is valuable. This is his general rule for AVR patients especially those who had aneurysms and have delicate/damaged connective- tissue.

 

[kbheart]

My Cardio says I will be on BB's forever as he feels the protection they give my heart by slowing dow the forcefulness of the pumping is valuable. This is his general rule for AVR patients especially those who had aneurysms and have delicate/damaged connective- tissue.

Researchers of Marfan's disease, a type of connective tissue disease, are now focusing on Cozaar, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, in preventing tears and dilations in connective tissue. They think that Cozaar might be more effective than beta blockers. At least it has worked very well in mice. They're just starting the research with humans. But my cardio was so impressed with the mice results that he switched me to Cozaar. Plus, it's not like Cozaar is an experimental drug with no history. It's been used for years with heart patients to control blood pressure. The cardio even suggested I get prescriptions for my kids (my kids have a 50% chance of having the same connective tissue disease I have). If it works, I'll be a happy squeaker with two kids that never have to have OHS.

 

[aussigal]

They're just starting the research with humans. But my cardio was so impressed with the mice results that he switched me to Cozaar. Plus, it's not like Cozaar is an experimental drug with no history. It's been used for years with heart patients QUOTE]

Yes...this sounds promising...I have also read a few articles about Cozaar...Us Aussies are very slow on the uptake of new drugs and last time I checked the government drug-squad were still debating this one...Heck its only been 6 months since we have been using Crestor for Cholesterol and you guys have had it for ages ...

As a mum of 2 BAV boys I will be keeping an eye out for this drug and see if it might save my boys from aneurysms and future OHS.



Apologies...Hope we havent hi-jacked your thread Jim...

 

[OldManEmu]

Beta Blockers

Beta Blockers

I was on Beta Blockers for 1 year post surgery to slow my heart and assist with remodelling. After 1 year they and a successful remodelling they were stopped by the cardio. I have a normal heart rhythm and a resting heart rate in the high 50's without them, so there not required. I had a stint on Carvedilol (US trade name Coreg) and I suffered like Mary nightmares and what felt like a permanent hangover after 3 months I complained to the cardio and was switched to Toprol XL and I didn't have any problem with these. Unless the dose is very low both increases and decreases in Beta Blocker dosages should be titrated. Suddenly stopping Beta Blockers can lead to palpitation or even worse a heart attack.

 

[jimbo]

7 weeks and going and going

7 weeks and going and going

Hello JimP. I had my Aorta replaced with a St Jude on 4-20. The only meds I'm on now are 1/2 tablet(25 mg) of Toprol. I've got 3 months worth after I was released and according to the release papers, that should be it (besides the cumadin). The amiodrone was finished after 1 month.

 

[ruth]

Hi JimP -

I just stopped my BB (Atenol) about 3 weeks ago. This was after weaning back down to a low dose. I was on a low dose before surgery for palpatations then a increasing amount when I was in AFib. After cardioversion the cardio started to wean me down as my BP and pulse started to decrease. Every dose change, up or down, always made me feel weird for a couple of days and then things settled out. I've never heard of the 'for life' rule.

My current situation (for better or worse) is that my resting heart rate is still what I consider pretty high (90) but my BP is pretty low (90/60). I have no idea what that means in English. I do know that if I were to take the Atenol my BP would go lower and that makes me dizzy sometimes which I really don't like.

I wish you all the best,
Ruth

 

[Jim P]

Thank you everyone for the informative responses on Beta-Blockers. As I expected, the answer seems to be "everybody is different" and "every cardiologist has their own plan of attack." However, I was most happy to read that many of you completely stopped the B-Bs -- some earlier and some later.

Ruth, your surgery was one month before mine, so I am hoping to follow you in terminating the B-Bs soon.

 

[TomS]

I went off everything about 60 days after surgery at my request. About one year later I went back Topral XL 25 mg morning and night because my blood pressure was checking in at 140. Now it's back down to normal. It felt great to get off of everything and I would do it again. The 25mg current dose doesn't have any effect on me. I even lost about 15 lbs since I started through better diet and exercise.
tom

 

[HeartDawg]

This was all very helpful! It sounds like the Toprol thing ends up being a bit individual.

I was on it for a couple months after surgery, and then after trying to cold turkey found the resting heart rate back up in the low 100s. We cut the dosage in half and I've been back on it. Last week I gave it another go and found the heart rate up in the high 80s ... and didn't really like that ... so back on it again!

 

[tprice54]

Careful

Careful

Please note that you really have to cut back slowly on Toprol. I have been on it twice, and both times I took weeks cutting back. Per my cardio's instruction. Toprol should not be stopped cold turkey.....