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.

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IvoryBlue 04/28/2011

Hi Everyone, I hope you are all having an afib free day. I saw my cardio doctor today, having had a 30 day event monitor and echocardiogram, again. The echo was normal, as were all my other tests, nuclear stress, echo stress, etc., and the only abnormality was a short run of SVT on the event monitor. My doctor wants to take me off of the Rythmol and start me on Toprol XL 50 mg and aspirin 81 mg instead of the 325 I had been taking. I haven't had afib in 18 months and he said the Toprol would have less side effects than the Rythmol. I'm basically in good health, BP is on the lower side, 115/70, normal weight, heart structurally okay. I was wondering if anyone else is using the Toprol and what, if any, reactions they had and how well it worked. I hate taking any meds, but if this is less severe than the Rythmol, I'll certainly be a lot happier.
Thanks for listening, wishing you all good health.
Cheryl

deleted_user 04/29/2011

I was on Toprol when I was first diagnosed and did not have any side effects. As my afib became worse, I was put on Betapace. I am hoping that the ablation is successful and I can also lower my meds. Congratulations on your good health. Stay well

deleted_user 04/29/2011

I have been on Toprol XL for 4 months, and like the tikosyn I am on, weight gain is associated with it for some. Copy this link to your browser for an article of interest. Hopefully someday we can all be off these meds!!! Take care!!!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/beta-blockers/AN01409

deleted_user 04/29/2011

I was changed from Rythmol to Multaq, and am now on Toprol 25mg SR (sustained release) and am 2 months post ablation. I was told by my EP that Toprol is not necessarily that effective for afib, but does work to reduce the svt that instigates the afib. I must say, I don't feel any svt!

First, I've just been switched too, so am on it now for a little over a week. I feel about 200 times better than when I was on the Multaq or the Rythmol. Toprol is also used off label to control anxiety, so I'm expecting to feel very laid back, too!

Best of luck. I'd love to know how the 50mg makes you feel once you are on it for a while. I'm only on 25mg (just up from the 12.5mg to start).

IvoryBlue 04/29/2011

I agree, I think the SVT's contributed to my initial afib episode. I find, when I first wake up, my heart is beating fast. Not fast enough to make me nuts, and I try and remain calm, but still faster than it should. I did capture those on the event monitor and one did show an svt. I'm prone to panic attacks and a lot of anxiety, and can work myself into a really bad state. I'm thinking that what you said is correct, that the svt will, if allowed to go untreated, can turn into afib. I'm hoping the Toprol works because I really want to be off the Rythmol. I'm also glad to see the Toprol doesn't have any major side effects like the Rythmol. Weight gain, I can handle!
Thanks for some good information..best of luck to all of you.
Happy, healthy, steady beats!

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