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What Medicines Will Help With Extrasystoles?

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Posted on Tue, 31 Dec 2013
Question: I'm a 49-yr-old woman who's had trouble with PAC's my whole life but now they're becoming much more frequent as I get older. Is this due to changing hormones? I've been taking Atenolol prescribed by my family doctor for many years but it isn't helping me. What meds can I take that will help with these extrasystoles? Or do I have to resign myself to putting up with them the rest of my life? I've had the EKG's to rule out serious heart problems but these are becoming more than an annoyance. Help!
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Answered by Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Other options Detailed Answer: Dear patient, Thanks for the query. Indeed, as you well mention, even in healthy individuals PAC burden increases with age; if they are bothersome, then supressive medication can be used. Beta blockers can be used, however, atenolol tends not to be the most effective, as compared to others such as metoprolol. Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem or verapamil are also alternative options. You can ask your doctor for a Holter monitor, to make sure that we are dealing only with PAC's and not with a paroxysmal arrhythmia. I notice that you take thyroid medication. TSH should be within normal limits, as over-medication with Synthroid could increase PAC counts. Hope that helps, wish you the best, Dr Brenes-Salazar MD Mayo Clinic Cardiology
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (8 minutes later)
Yes, it is in normal limits as I have it checked twice a year. I had a thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer many yrs. ago. Also, I did have episodes of paroxysmal tachycardia when I was a teen which was always preceded by the PAC's but haven't had these episodes for many yrs. I will ask my doctor about the Metoprolol as the Atenolol hasn't been working for me. Thank you.
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Answered by Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (1 minute later)
Brief Answer: Welcome Detailed Answer: Most welcome, best regards and Happy Holidays!
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar

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Practicing since :2007

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What Medicines Will Help With Extrasystoles?

Brief Answer: Other options Detailed Answer: Dear patient, Thanks for the query. Indeed, as you well mention, even in healthy individuals PAC burden increases with age; if they are bothersome, then supressive medication can be used. Beta blockers can be used, however, atenolol tends not to be the most effective, as compared to others such as metoprolol. Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem or verapamil are also alternative options. You can ask your doctor for a Holter monitor, to make sure that we are dealing only with PAC's and not with a paroxysmal arrhythmia. I notice that you take thyroid medication. TSH should be within normal limits, as over-medication with Synthroid could increase PAC counts. Hope that helps, wish you the best, Dr Brenes-Salazar MD Mayo Clinic Cardiology