Rapid Heart beat

[Fjorina]

I'm 18 years old and I suffer from rapid heart beat. I don't use drugs, drinks, or caffeine. Sometimes I feel shortness of breath, left pain. I went to the doctor and I took an EKG . the highest heartbeat was 144 . The doctor gave me Atenolol and he said to use it at morning and at night. I only use it at night 25 mg. and then I stopped using it, I only take it when I don't feel well , when I feel pain. Is there any serious problem with that ?  Should I do more test for my heart ? or it will pass ?? please help !

[Fjorina]

Thank u for the answer ! I should better talk to my cardiologist again , the first time he just gave me the medicines and he didn't say to me how long should  I use them .The doctor thinks that it's a temporary situation that after this period my heart beats will be normal, but they aren't so that's why I don't know what to do.

[Jerry_NJ]

I do adjust my medications (beta blockers and calcium channel blockers) some without discussing with my cardiologist because he thinks I'm doing as well as can be "expected".  But, I am an senior age person so my situation is different, I will be taking medication for the rest of my remaining life, I enjoyed over 55 years of not having to use any regular prescription medication, so I'm not complaining.

It is best to discuss with your doctor.  Perhaps you can take just before bedtime to help your heart get a good rest.  Still, at your young age if anything can be identified for a cure, that would be the best choice.  

My experience in the USA suggests medical advice always consider risk/benefit and if the symptoms are controlled with "maintenance" medication treatment they will oppose taking any risk for procedures such as ablation (the only invasive procedure that comes to my mind).  

[Fjorina]

@Tom At the time I don't do anything I just breath deeply and take the Atenelol ( medicine ) or sometimes I don't take pills I just wait to pass.

[Fjorina]

Thank  u Midijane!
I did take it regularly but then I thought it's too early in my age to take this medicine ( what my pharmacist said)  so I don't know what to do ...I do feel well after I take it but it's not that I feel bad everyday ...it happens one in a while .
Well @Tom I don't feel my heart beat often ...only sometimes when I lay to sleep, i don't feel it during the day or so...only sometimes I feel chest pain it's more like uncomfortable not a real pain anyway  That's the point i don't know why it beats fast. my uncle who is a doctor( not a cardiologist ) says that it's because of stress and I don't have anything wrong  but I'm afraid .

[tom_h]

Hello Fjorina,
Please tell us more about what you are feeling.  When does your heart beat fast?  What are you doing at that time?

[Midijane]

Hello Fjorina,
Atenolol is meant to be taken daily and always regularly, not just when a person doesn't feel well. If it were me, I would take the medicine as prescribed and then see how I felt.

I suspect if you can keep your heart rate under better control, you won't have as many episodes of chest pain. But if you find the medicine isn't helping your fast heart rates once you are taking the Atenolol twice daily, then I would call the office back and let them know the medicine doesn't seem to be effective.

Hope this helps a little. Take care.