Beta blockers and palpitations
 

Hi guys,

For a number of years I've had prolonged bouts of palpitations (months) and then prolonged bouts without. I got this checked out by a cardio specialist last year, had all the tests, 24hr holter, ecg, exercising ecg, ultrasound etc and nothing dangerous was found. Cost me a lot of money. I had my medical taken off me whilst the results were being checked but no problems were found, just put down as ectopic beats, got my medical back a couple of weeks later.

This problem is annoying, worrysome and I'd really like to do something about it. I'm wondering if getting prescribed beta blockers might be a short term answer, it can't be doing my heart any good, flapping about like a wet fish in a bucket as it is...Would this be a problem for a class 1 medical (or even a class 2 for that matter??). Further to that, would it be an issue for any potential employer??

Cheers
H

I've had them for 50 years. Don't worry - only makes them worse!

On a purely personal note, Beta Blockers are to be avoided. Was prescribed for symptoms similar to yours. Did little to alleviate the problem but caused distinct circulation problems. Eventually had some excellent advice from a medic who suggested antacid tablets - yes, really. They worked!! the palpitations were being caused by gas pressure on the diaphragm brought on mainly by unrecognised stress and associated adrenaline production. In other words, RELAX!!!
As the Station Doc said -"There's nowt wrong with your heart - if there was, it couldn't do what it is doing!!"

Sure I read somewhere probably the daily mail :rolleyes:that latest studies show beta blockers actually increase your chances of heart failure or strokes.

Pace

Encouraging news that the test's were okay. "Palpitations" is quite a subjective term. Shame about the grounding.

Sounds like that you have got some excessive nor-adrenaline that might need mopping up.

I reckon (GP allowing) if you did some aerobic exercise (swimming, walking fast, whatever takes ya'fancy), anything that makes you a little bit breathless, hot, and sweaty, for at least 20 minutes, 5 times a week, you will probably feel better.


Try it, if it doesn't work, let us know:)

Here are two links on beta blockers the one on heart attack and stroke increases the other on Diabetes increases by 50% using beta blockers.

Beta-blockers can lead to heart attacks, strokes and heart failure, new research shows | Mail Online

Beta-blockers 'increase diabetes risk by 50 per cent' | Mail Online

So many drugs warn of possible heart attack or stroke. Just the drugs companies covering their backsides. Check out anti inflammatories and one very popular painkiller.
Ibuprofen Information from Drugs.com

Fly380

Probably Gingernuts advice is the best as if all his tests were normal then its likely to be a stress thing / lifestyle thing!

I totally agree with you that most drugs have adverse reactions some more serious than others hence the less pill popping we do the better.

More de stressing has to be a better option than pill popping?

Pace

Hey guys! Thanks so much for all your replies. Great to know I'm not alone with this. I'll have a bash with the antacids (any particular brand?), I do have a huge amount of gas (ask my ex!) ;-). When the condition is at it's worst I can feel a burst of adrenaline accompanying or preceeding a delayed beat followed by a real thumper!

It really is an unpleasant condition, it interrupts sleep etc at it's worst, making the problem even worse. And as you say, worrying about it makes it so much worse.

I've always avoided pills etc whenever possible and I get regular exercise, 20 mile bike ride a couple of times a week, aerobic exercise in the gym, walking etc, I have a good balanced diet and drink plenty of water. I do like a beer and the odd cig though :-\. Oddly I feel the condition is much improved for a couple of pints in the pub, stress relief?? Alcohol and nicotine are supposed to exaggerate symptoms, surely?

My doctor is loathe to prescribe BBs anyway, I have an occasional, mild, night time asthma problem which he says will be exaggerated by BBs. I also have a titanium hip - I'm a bit of a disaster really :-\ LOL

Cheers
H!

Rob

Reading your last post it really sounds like this is an anxiety thing, being too heart aware, scared that something is wrong and being tuned in to every beat.

If your heart races at night let it, you will soon ignore it and fall off to sleep.
"""IT""" is you not some affliction.

It will go when your concerns and attention towards it goes. Try taking up some sort of relaxation regime maybe yoga or one of the other eastern methods. Try Hypnosis, breathing exercises (I bet thats fast too)
Above all forget it and enjoy yourself.

Pace

A little harsh,and, if I may say, patronising!

Some people (i'm one of them) are more aware of their heart beating than others. I went for months with 'palpitations' dismissed by doctors as ectopics before I had an episode of Atrial Fibrillation that got my heart going at a recorded ventricular rate of 280 BPM.:eek:

This resulted in an ablation procedure, a follow up two months later, and ongoing evaluation.

The 'it's all in your head' brigade drive me nuts. If it hasn't happened to you then you don't understand!:mad:

Rob, it may be worth a longer ECG holter, i.e 48-72 hrs to see what's really happening when you get these periods of abherrant behaviour. It is concerning when they happen and in my case nearly caused lasting muscle damage.

Not to mention it was bloody frightening!

Crikey! Sounds like you're lucky to still be here One dot right.

I am tempted to go back to my specialist and ask him to do some more tests whilst I'm having problems. It had all but cleared up by the time the tests were done last time. It's nice to get a 'clean bill of health' but I think I'd rather it was checked out at its worst...It's an expensive problem to get checked out tho, especially considering I'm not actually flying for a living at the moment.

I gave the antacids a try but the results were not encouraging.

Cheers!

Yes Rob I think i am. Think the ambulance crew thought I was lucky to still be here too.

Please get it checked thoroughly, I'd hate anyone to go through what I did unnecessarily.

Funnily enough, despite months of checks, various holters, AND me telling them something was wrong, NOTHING was picked up until I felt it go 'out of rhythm' one morning and not go back in, then followed the previously mentioned Atrial Fib episode.

Good Luck.

Hi Rob

Check your pm's

Regards

Air pig

Robhemsley:
Palps - get them tested by a cardiac consultant. No-one else will do. They know whats what and whether certain medicines are effective and their side effects.
I have/had an ATPL and after 30yrs of flying they found abnormal arrythmia. Did all the tests including nuclear stress test - decided the heart is fine mechanically but misfires occasionally. He put it down to certain triggers: alcohol, coffee (big time), coke! stress, etc etc. But because I had a lot of them he decided to put me on BB's. Transformed them. 99% gone!.
No mention of side effects??? There aren't any.
However - unless you are twin pilot, your flying days are over, I'm afraid. You need a class 1 and BB's and class 1 don't mix.

Er, actually they have a huge effect on your exercise tolerance, and in my case at least make me feel very 'flat'.

Actually, certain beta blockers are permitted and compatible with class one.

I have spoken to my GP about BBs before and was actually on them for a short while about 8 or 9 years ago (before I started flying). They usually have an effect on your lung function and as I suffer from very mild night time asthma on occasion my GP is loathe to presecribe any for what he is convinced are simple ectopics.

I did have my tests performed by a private cardio specialist, he seemed to be very thorough and found nothing of concern.

I wish I could blame stimulants but I don't drink coffee, only drink decaf tea, don't do drugs. I do smoke a small amount and I like a drink at the weekend. I'm probably underweight if anything for my height (6'2" 76Kg), exercise regularly and sensibly, have perfect cholesterol level etc. Stress is looking like the most likely culprit.

Anyway, thanks again for all your replies, I promise I will get it checked out again - even though it'll have to be private (god bless the NHS!) and will no doubt break the bank (again).

Cheers

RobH

onedotright: If you are on BB's you can't fly SPIFR. The end. If you are commercial transport twin pilot - that's fine.

Two: I run/gym/cycle weekly and have done for years - absolutely no impact whatsoever on my lung capacity or stamina.

Try again

Well I have a letter from the Belgrano stating the opposite.:eek:

So do I. They have a massive effect on me, and are recognised for doing so. But I guess we're all different.

You try again.

Onedot: I have a letter stating that they are happy to consider me flying with a restricted class 1: twin pilot only. I'm on Bisoprolol.
But I've moved on since then.

What are you on? And for how long.
I've also asked my Cardiac specialist/AME (same guy) about this latest observation on BB's.