Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Can I Do About My Premature Arterial Contractions? I'm
Question: What can I do about my premature arterial contractions? I'm on blood pressure medicines and diabetes meds also.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service !
I understand your concern and would explain that low dose beta blocker ( carvedilol, bisoprolol) or calcium channel blockers ( diltiazem, verapamil) would help reduce premature contractions.
These drugs can help reduce your blood pressure values too.
If your blood pressure values persist despite adding one of these drugs to your therapy, I would recommend increasing the dose of your actual anti hypertensive drugs to help improve blood pressure values.
I would also recommend checking your blood electrolytes and thyroid hormone levels for possible imbalances, because these situations may trigger cardiac arrhythmia.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr.Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service !
I understand your concern and would explain that low dose beta blocker ( carvedilol, bisoprolol) or calcium channel blockers ( diltiazem, verapamil) would help reduce premature contractions.
These drugs can help reduce your blood pressure values too.
If your blood pressure values persist despite adding one of these drugs to your therapy, I would recommend increasing the dose of your actual anti hypertensive drugs to help improve blood pressure values.
I would also recommend checking your blood electrolytes and thyroid hormone levels for possible imbalances, because these situations may trigger cardiac arrhythmia.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr.Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much. That is so helpful.
I'm already on a beta blocker: Metoprolol Succ ER 150 mgs and Lisinopril 20 mg twice a day, and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg.
One nurse practitioner said I could increase the Metoprolol to 200 mg per day, but it lowers my pulse to under 60 which she said was not good and to stop taking it if it dropped down. So are the other drugs you mentioned better than Metoprolol? I've been using it quite a while, first 50 mgs and then 100 and now 150. It is not helping.
She did check my thyroid and said it was normal.
Thanks again, Carole
I'm already on a beta blocker: Metoprolol Succ ER 150 mgs and Lisinopril 20 mg twice a day, and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg.
One nurse practitioner said I could increase the Metoprolol to 200 mg per day, but it lowers my pulse to under 60 which she said was not good and to stop taking it if it dropped down. So are the other drugs you mentioned better than Metoprolol? I've been using it quite a while, first 50 mgs and then 100 and now 150. It is not helping.
She did check my thyroid and said it was normal.
Thanks again, Carole
Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
The maximal daily dose of metoprolol succinate is 200mg daily. So, you can try to increase the dose of metoprolol gradually to 200mg and see if you tolerate it well (no shortness of breath, no fatigue, no dizziness).
Otherwise, if you do not tolerate it well, I would recommend switching to one of these drugs (carvedilol or bisoprolol), starting with low doses and increase slowly based on your tolerance.
We can not say if one of these drugs is better from the other, but bisoprolol and carvedilol can help reduce blood pressure, as their anti-hypertensive effect is more prominent compared to metoprolol succinate, whose main action is on the heart rate.
I would also recommend performing a cardiac ultrasound in order to examine your heart function and structure.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
The maximal daily dose of metoprolol succinate is 200mg daily. So, you can try to increase the dose of metoprolol gradually to 200mg and see if you tolerate it well (no shortness of breath, no fatigue, no dizziness).
Otherwise, if you do not tolerate it well, I would recommend switching to one of these drugs (carvedilol or bisoprolol), starting with low doses and increase slowly based on your tolerance.
We can not say if one of these drugs is better from the other, but bisoprolol and carvedilol can help reduce blood pressure, as their anti-hypertensive effect is more prominent compared to metoprolol succinate, whose main action is on the heart rate.
I would also recommend performing a cardiac ultrasound in order to examine your heart function and structure.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
By proceeding further you accept the Terms and Conditions
