
Caution: Beta Blockers and Atrioventricular Block
Share
Propranolol is a beta blocker and is the only drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of Essential Tremor (ET). Beta blockers cause the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. Betablockers can also cause a second-degree Mobitz type 1 (Wenckebach) Atrioventricular Block.
Medical terminology like this, can and does sound scary. When it is happening to you it is a very scary experience. If you take beta blockers it may not happen to you, but you should be aware of the possibility of an AV Block.
My story with betablockers
Iāve been on beta blockers for my hypertension for about 35 years. First I was on 80 mg daily of Propranolol. My PCP changed my prescription to 50 mg daily of Atenolol about 6 or 7 years ago. During this time my Essential Tremor was fairly masked by these beta blockers. When I needed very steady hands I could always self-medicate with 40mg of Propranolol and get 4 or 5 hours relief.
This all changed recently when, one day, I got up late and I took my daily 50mg of Atenolol during breakfast. I didnāt feel I was at the ātop of my gameā and my wife Jill encouraged me to check my blood pressure. It was fine but my heart rate was much lower than my usual mid 60ās. Checked my oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter. Oxygen levels were 97% but again I had a very low pulse rate.
I continued to check my vitals during the afternoon but after a couple of readings with a pulse rate of 35 we decided it was time to seek medical help. I drove myself to the local Urgent Care which had a hand written sign on the door indicating they were closed. So I headed to Ann Arbor and the University of Minchiganās hospital ER facility.
After a couple of minutes of admin discussion and a quick talk with who I guess was a triage person, a tech took my BP and heart rate. This was quickly followed by an EKG snapshot and blood draw, and a chest x-ray. All this happened in a matter of 15 minutes.
The nurse who took the EKG snapshot mentioned āa blockā to no one in particular. Letās pile on my anxiety level. I was having visions of needing a heart stent. Another nurse settled me into bed and wired up to an EKG monitor. The steady beep of the sinus rhythm from the monitor wasnāt steady. I turned so I could view the monitor and I could see that the pulses had gaps in them. Also the monitor was flashing Afib (Atrial fibrillation). Sometime during this period the nurse returned and applied two large defibrillator pads to my chest. This is getting serious!
Doctor #1 comes in with the first good news. The blood work came back clear. āItās most likely a Wiki Blockā. After he left Google sorted out that it was Wenckebach. We discussed my general health. I think it was this doctor who asked if I had seen a cardiologist and/or had an EKG seeing I was on beta blockers. I had not and was surprised at all medical advice I had received in the past had indicated beta blockers were a āsafeā medicine.
The beta blockers were delaying the signal for my heart to beat. The other good news was that I wasnāt suffering from AFib. It seems that EKG monitors interpret any irregular heart beat as AFib. We also discussed my self-medication of 40mg of Propranolol for my Essential Tremor. In his opinion this was a very bad idea particularly as I was suffering from an AV block.
Now begins the long wait. I didnāt have any of the common symptoms they expected. No sweating, chills, lightheadedness, nor pins and needles, nor weakness nor cognitive impairment. Somewhere around 8 to 10 hours after I took the Atenolol, my heart beat started to steady. Just to be super sure I wasnāt going to collapse on them, I had another blood draw which came back negative. After a couple more hours they decided I could go home with a referral to a cardiologist, a 5 day heart monitor ordered, and advice to see my PCP later in the day as it was well past midnight.
Later that day, my PCP didnāt prescribe an alternative to the Atenolol. āJust monitor the BP and contact me if it starts to move over 90 diastolic. It is difficult to adjust to a resting heart rate 85+ but so far the BP is holding steady.
The 5x24 heart monitor arrived. No drama there. The adhesive irritated my skin. The summary results were posted to myuofmhealth.org but will have to wait until I see the cardiologists for interpretation. That appointment is a couple of weeks from now.
A word of caution
Beta blockers which I always considered a āsafeā drug are not always safe. If you take beta blockers for your Essential Tremor, you should monitor and record your heart rate and blood pressure on a regular basis. Stay safe and healthy.
PS: AMA (Ask Me Anything)
Author: James Kissel is a retired Internet and software consultant and a self-funded Essential Tremor researcher. You can read more blog posts written by him about ET here.
Related Posts
-
Does caffeine affect essential tremor?
Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurological condition that causes involuntary shaking, often in the hands, head, o...
-
How to Do Your Nails with Shaky Hands
Doing your nails can be a quiet, satisfying ritual, but when youāve got shaky hands, itās easy to feel like this sma...
-
Master Your Makeup with Shaky Hands: Simple Tips That Work!
Applying makeup is often a daily ritual that many people enjoy, but for those with essential tremor, it can be a chal...
-
Can Essential Tremor Cause Dementia?
Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurological disorder that primarily causes rhythmic shaking in the hands, but can ...
-
Exploring the Effects of Ozempic on Essential Tremor
Essential tremor is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary and rhythmic shaking, affecting millions of peopl...
-
Inspiring Stories of Famous People Overcoming Essential Tremor
Are you living with essential tremor and feel like it's keeping you out of life's spotlight or holding you back from ...
-
Why Do Essential Tremor Patients Live Longer?
Essential tremor is a common neurological condition characterized by involuntary shaking of the hands, head, or other...
-
Is Dementia Associated with Essential Tremors?
The intriguing connection between Essential Tremor (ET) and Dementia requires a good understanding of the underlying ...
-
Why Does Essential Tremor Happen?
Essential tremor, a neurological disorder marked by uncontrollable shaking, is a subject that often leaves individual...
-
What Are the Stages of Essential Tremor?
Living with essential tremor is a nuanced experience, and a deeper understanding of its various facets is vital. In t...
-
What Makes Essential Tremor Worse?
Essential Tremors, characterized by involuntary rhythmic shaking, can be exacerbated by various factors. Stress, insu...
-
Essential Tremor vs. Physiologic Tremor
Exploring the distinctions between Essential Tremor and Physiologic Tremor is crucial for gaining a thorough understa...
-
Essential Tremor vs Intention Tremor: Navigating the Shaky Differences
Have you ever experienced your hands shaking uncontrollably while trying to enjoy your morning coffee or buttoning yo...
-
Essential Tremor vs Parkinson's: A Comprehensive Overview
Essential Tremor and Parkinson's disease are two distinct neurological conditions that share similarities in their sy...
-
RIFE Frequencies Treatment Video for Essential Tremor
Recently, while chatting with a member of our essential tremor community on Discord, I stumbled upon a YouTube video ...
-
James Kissel's ET Journey
I have mild to moderate tremors in my dominant hand and was recently medically diagnosed as having Essential Tremor. ...
-
Giving Viraball a Whirl: A Vibrational Physiotherapy Product Review
Ā After my previous experience with Tremor Miracle capsules, which didn't quite hit the mark (full review here), I sw...
-
My 30-Day Trial with Tremor Miracle Capsules: An Honest Review
Ā The road to finding the right treatment for any health issue is often a journey of exploration and discovery. This ...
-
Navigating Your First Date with Essential Tremor
Ā Dating can be nerve-wracking for anyone, but when you have essential tremor, the experience can be even more challe...
-
Thriving in Business with Essential Tremor: My Tips for Confidence and Ease
For almost 30 years, I've been living with essential tremor, an involuntary shaking condition that can make ...
-
Exploring the Effects of the Keto Diet on Essential Tremor: A Promising Connection
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has gained popularity for its potential benefits in weig...
-
Essential Tremor: Treatment for Hand, Head and Voice Tremor
Worried about trembling hands? I understand that living with tremors can be terrifying, especially when you donāt kno...
-
Can Essential Tremor Be Caused By Gluten Intolerance?
Are you worried about unexplained hand tremors and voice shaking? The chances are you might be suffering from essenti...
-
What Are the Best Exercises to Minimize the Effects of Essential Tremor?
Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurological disorder. This condition can affect a person's voice, head, and hands....
-
Essential Tremor: The Beginner's Guide To Knowing More About Essential Tremor
Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurological disorder characterized by uncontrollable shaking in many regions of th...
-
Managing Essential Tremors
āI didnāt know why I was shaking and why It got worse when I was nervous, tired, or experienced extreme emotionsā, sa...