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What Causes Pounding Sensation In Ears,throat And Chest After Taking Atenolol?
My 60-yr old husband had coronary bypass surgery (double bypass) 3 weeks ago. He had been on atenolol for 17 years before the surgery (as a result of an MI at age 42). Immediately post op, he had been put on a different beta blocker, but at his follow up with the cardiologist this week, he was instructed to go back on his previous regimen, which included 25 mg atenolol. While he hadn t noticed any side effects before surgery, now he feels fatigued and heavy for 1 to 2 hours after he takes the atenolol and feels his heart pounding in his ears, his throat, his chest. He s starting to dread taking the atenolol, which is weird, because he was fine with it for so many years. Is this just because he s still weak from surgery, and can we anticipate that he will adjust within a short period? Any recommendations for timing would also be appreciated. He currently takes the beta blocker in the morning and the ACE inhibitor in the evening.
Mon, 24 Feb 2014
Hi there,
Thanks for your query.
An MI indicates an underlying atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries, particularly of the neck and brain). Rapid flow of blood at higher pressure through the narrowed arteries, produces a whooshing a thumping sound, which is conducted into the ears and upper part of the body.
Beta blockers reduce the rate at which the heart beats, thereby filling more blood into the left heart. The heart then pumps blood more forcefully at a higher pressure, through the narrowed arteries, thereby producing the said sound. A reduction of the dose or increasing the frequency of Bet blockers at a lower dose will help.
Consult your doctor and apprise him of my opinion. I am certain that he will agree with me and will prescribe the advised drugs in appropriate doses.
If you find my response helpful and informative, do not forget an “excellent” (5-star rating) to my answer, to ENCOURAGE ALL doctors- engaged in social service- to render sound advice to the FREE queries.
Take care
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
Thanks for your query.
An MI indicates an underlying atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries, particularly of the neck and brain). Rapid flow of blood at higher pressure through the narrowed arteries, produces a whooshing a thumping sound, which is conducted into the ears and upper part of the body.
Beta blockers reduce the rate at which the heart beats, thereby filling more blood into the left heart. The heart then pumps blood more forcefully at a higher pressure, through the narrowed arteries, thereby producing the said sound. A reduction of the dose or increasing the frequency of Bet blockers at a lower dose will help.
Consult your doctor and apprise him of my opinion. I am certain that he will agree with me and will prescribe the advised drugs in appropriate doses.
If you find my response helpful and informative, do not forget an “excellent” (5-star rating) to my answer, to ENCOURAGE ALL doctors- engaged in social service- to render sound advice to the FREE queries.
Take care
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
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