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Took Atenolol And Undergone Stress Test. Have Low Heart Rate. Is This Due To Pacemaker?

Posted on Fri, 17 May 2013

Question: Hi...I take atenolol 50 mg qd...Friday last I had a stress test with the chemical, and was told to omit the atenolol in the morning when I take it....I goofed&forgot...So I took it at 7a.m&had the stress test at 4p.m....I also have a demand pacemaker that keeps my rate between 68&72...any way..The technicians couldn't get my rate above 71, & blamed the atenolol..I blame the pacemaker../who is right?..and thank you. XXXXXXX Pugsley Cleveland Ohio

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (39 minutes later)

Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

I am sorry to say that YOU are NOT right...
The pacemaker will be suppressed when the heart rate goes up / it wont prevent it from rising.
If the heart rate falls below a certain limit, pacemaker takes over...and its upper limit is pre-fixed...
Your heart rate did not rise because of atenolol and the pacemaker was not responsible

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar