Can taking beta blockers for a year be a cause of an irregular heartbeat?

Thanks for any info.

The flutter in my chest brings on a cough - is this a cause for concern.
Thank you.

The action of a beta blocker is not usually the cause of an irregular heart beat - arrhythmia. They may, however, cause a slow heart beat 鈥?bradycardia. This is because beta blockers (sometimes written as 尾-blockers) are a class of drugs used for various indications, but particularly for the management of cardiac arrhythmias and cardioprotection after myocardial infarction. Whilst once first-line treatment for hypertension, their role was downgraded in June 2006 in the UK to fourth-line as they perform less well than other drugs, particularly in the elderly, and there is increasing evidence that the most frequently used beta-blockers at usual doses carry a risk of provoking type 2 diabetes. Beta blockers may also be referred to as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic antagonists, or beta antagonists. The antiarrhythmic effects of beta blockers arise from sympathetic nervous system blockade 鈥?resulting in depression of sinus node function and atrioventricular node conduction, and prolonged atrial refractory periods. Sotalol, in particular, has additional antiarrhythmic properties and prolongs action potential duration through potassium channel blockade. Common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of beta blockers include: nausea, diarrhoea, bronchospasm, dyspnoea, cold extremities, exacerbation of Raynaud's syndrome, bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure, heart block, fatigue, dizziness, abnormal vision, decreased concentration, hallucinations, insomnia, nightmares, depression, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction and/or alteration of glucose and lipid metabolism. Mixed 伪1/尾-antagonist therapy is also commonly associated with orthostatic hypotension. Carvedilol therapy is commonly associated with oedema. (Rossi, 2006). Central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects (hallucinations, insomnia, nightmares, depression) are more common in agents with greater lipid solubility, which are able to cross the blood-brain barrier into the CNS. Similarly, CNS adverse effects are less common in agents with greater aqueous solubility. Adverse effects associated with 尾2-adrenergic receptor antagonist activity (bronchospasm, peripheral vasoconstriction, alteration of glucose and lipid metabolism) are less common with 尾1-selective (often termed "cardioselective") agents, however receptor selectivity diminishes at higher doses.
I add a link with some details of this subject


http://www.patient.co.uk/
showdoc/27000279/

Hope this helps
matador 89

You're welcome. Glad to have been of help.
m.89 Report It

No,I have been taking them for more years than i can remember and my heart is fine, been broken a few times but ticking away at a regular beat

Beta blockers serve to treat abnormal and irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, heart attack, hypertension, migraines, social phobias, tremors, and glaucoma.
It may not be a cause of irregular heart beat. Search another.
Good luck!

yes,beta blockers has no absolute selective effect on betha adrenergic receptors on heart so they may also act on alpha receptors and with inceasing peripheral resistance activing sympathic system to increasing hearth rate.

Please see the web pages for more details on Beta blockers.

Beta-blockers are medicines used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, and chest pain.

Not normally. If you stop taking them you could have problems for sure.