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Suggest Treatment For Breathing Difficulty After Changing From Diltiazem To Atenolol
Question: I just switched to atenolol from Diltiazem, about 6 days now. My heart rate is averaging 50 at rest and tonight has dipped to the mid 40s prior to bed. I've had cold hands and feet the past two days and a little labored breathing, is my dose of 50 mg over 24 hours too strong? Diltiazem never took me this low unless I was sleeping at 240/24 hours. I'm due to a CT Scan of my heart (passed stress test and echocardiogram) to further eval chest discomfort. I've got hypertension and that's why I was on Diltiazem and then moved to atenolol. Always had side affect issues on Diltiazem. Atenolol has been ok, but I don't like this reduced heart rate never gets above 75 unless I'm speed walking or stairs. I'd love to stop taking these Meds period once my scan is finished. I had no symptoms of dizziness, low heart rate or foggyness and feeling like crap until I was put on these BP Meds. Atenolol has not made me feel bad except for the slowed hear rate and light labored breathing.
Brief Answer:
Lower the dose of Atenolol to 25 mg for one week and then you can stop it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
The atenolol dose its not big in itself, but in general it is recommended to start with 25 mg and then to increase it gradually.
Atenolol its not a first choice to treat high blood pressure. There are many medicines to treat it without side effects. It is started more when the person has fast heart rate and palpitations and as I said sometimes 25 mg its enough.
In your case my recommendation would be to switch to 25 mg until you go to do the scan and then talk to your doctor so they can consider giving you a diuretic or a ACE inhibitor which are a first choice to treat high blood pressure.
Do not stop Atenolol immediately without lowering first the dose to 25 mg because it is not recommended and its dangerous.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Lower the dose of Atenolol to 25 mg for one week and then you can stop it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
The atenolol dose its not big in itself, but in general it is recommended to start with 25 mg and then to increase it gradually.
Atenolol its not a first choice to treat high blood pressure. There are many medicines to treat it without side effects. It is started more when the person has fast heart rate and palpitations and as I said sometimes 25 mg its enough.
In your case my recommendation would be to switch to 25 mg until you go to do the scan and then talk to your doctor so they can consider giving you a diuretic or a ACE inhibitor which are a first choice to treat high blood pressure.
Do not stop Atenolol immediately without lowering first the dose to 25 mg because it is not recommended and its dangerous.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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