Tips For Treating And Preventing Atrial Flutter

Other Medications

In addition to anticoagulants, doctors often prescribe other medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhythmics. Both calcium channel blockers and beta blockers slow the rate at which the heart beats by slowing electrical conduction through the heart's AV node. Additionally, beta blockers help keep the heart beating in a normal rhythm. Some of the most commonly prescribed beta blockers include acebutolol, atenolol, bisoprolol metoprolol, nadolol, and nebivolol. In some patients, these medications can lead to side effects such as weight gain, cold hands and feet, fatigue, depression, insomnia, and fatigue.

Examples of popular calcium channel blockers include amlodipine, bepridil, felodipine, and nisoldipine. Patients taking calcium channel blockers may experience low blood pressure and low pulse rate, and doctors usually ask these patients to monitor their blood pressure and pulse at home on a daily basis. In particular, if a patient notices their pulse is too low, they should contact their doctor's office to ask whether to take the calcium channel blocker that day or not. Other potential side effects include increased appetite, constipation, bleeding gums, swollen ankles and feet, and reflux disease. Antiarrhythmic medicines can change atrial flutter back into a normal heart rhythm and prevent future episodes of fluttering. Sotalol, amiodarone, and propafenone are examples of these medications, and doctors typically prescribe them to patients who have recently had cardioversion. Side effects include chest pain, fast or slow heart rate, swollen feet, dizziness, and blurred vision.

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