Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Hello - I am new here, but not new to a-fib. My mother is the one who has it and she is 89 yrs. old. She has had it for over 20 yrs. but lately she has it every day. She was on 50 mg. of Metropolol twice a day for the past 3 yrs., as well as Eliquis, Digoxin and Tikosyn. She also has a pacemaker to keep her heart rate above 60 beats a minute at least. The doctor just raised the Metropolol to 100 mg. twice a day as her pacemaker check and her EKG showed she is having episodes every day now. We will go back for a check on the new dose of Metroplol in 3 months, as well as a pacemaker check.
Are there any other members in this support group who are around the age of 89 who have been on these meds - epecially the Metropolol and how has your body handled this drug? The cardiologist said that if this dose of Metropolol doesn't help, then he will try Amiodarone. That drug has me a little nervous because of my mother's age. She won't have an ablation and the doctor didn't feel it would be wise anyway.
Are there any other members in this support group who are around the age of 89 who have been on these meds - epecially the Metropolol and how has your body handled this drug? The cardiologist said that if this dose of Metropolol doesn't help, then he will try Amiodarone. That drug has me a little nervous because of my mother's age. She won't have an ablation and the doctor didn't feel it would be wise anyway.
My usual resting heart rate has always been around 50 (of course except when I'm in AFIB). I took 50 mg of metoprolol daily for 5 years. I found that I could only take it in the mornings, because if I took it at night my morning BP would be so low that I was lightheaded. When my AFIB got really bad and I had a stroke, I had an ablation. After the ablation the Metoprolol pushed my heart rate to the high 30's to low 40's. Not good. The EP said that I would no longer should take a beta blocker, since my heart rate is slow to begin with. It sounds like your mom also has a slow heart rate (thus the pacemaker to keep her heart rate above 60). So.... if the Dr. increases the Metoprolol, make sure her heart rate doesn't get too slow.
But we are all different, maybe get a second opinion.
Of course her age comes into play big time here.....wonder why they don't just consider her to be a chronic a fibber on warfarin who has a pacemaker ......
I use it only to slow my heart rate down when I go into afib. It is meant for rate control.
My cardio dr. wanted me to have a pacemaker so he could increase my dose of Metoprolol when I was first diagnosed...because I too have bradycardia. I could not see the logic in that and got a second opinion. I no longer take it daily.