Atenolol is a medication that is often prescribed to lower blood pressure and relieve certain heart conditions. Although staying on Atenolol for a long period of time can carry its own risks, you should be closely monitored by a doctor when you decide to go off Atenolol. Going off of Atenolol can cause several conditions, including angina, heart attack and arrythmias.
Purpose of Atenolol
Atenolol is a prescription drug that can treat several conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. It is part of a group of prescription drugs called "beta blockers." Although Atenolol is often successful in relieving chest pain, reducing high blood pressure, and improving the chances of survival after a heart attack, it comes along with many risks and possible side effects.
Importance of Going Off Atenolol
Using a beta blocker like Atenolol for a prolonged period of time can cause congestive heart failure. For this reason, it is important to go off Atenolol after its usage is no longer essential. If you experience any of the following symptoms of congestive heart failure while on Atenolol, speak with your doctor immediately about going off of it: sudden and unexplained weight gain, swelling in your lower extremeties, shortness of breath, or an unexplained cough.
Angina
Going off of Atenolol can put you at risk of developing angina pectoris (coll. angina). Angina is chest discomfort or pain that is caused by the temporary lack of oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart. Angina is usually caused when the coronary arteries become clogged, which limits the coronary blood flow - but it can be caused by suddenly going off of Atenolol as well. If you were originally put on Atenolol to control angina, going off of it may result in an increase in angina symptoms. Although angina itself is not harmful, it can put you at a greater risk for a heart attack.
Heart Attack
Going off of Atenolol without the support and suggestion of a doctor can also lead to a heart attack, especially if you were originally put on Atenolol as a result of a heart attack. Similar to angina, a heart attack is usually caused by blockage of bloodflow to the heart. Unlike angina, about half of all heart attacks are fatal. If you are going off on Atenolol, make sure to review the effects of a heart attack so that you can help immediately if necessary.
Arrythmias
Going off of Atenolol also carries of risk of arrythmia, or irregular heartbeat. Although this may not sound dangerous, arrythmia can cause the heart to pump much less effectively, which can be harmful in the long run. Specific cells in the heart usually act as a "pacemaker" for the heart, prompting it to pump after a certain short interval of time. Arrythmias is caused when those cells do not do their job effectively. Arrythmia can be treated by implanting a man-made pacemaker in the heart.
