During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? It is said that beta blocker will make vagal mediated afib worse. I get that, so I don't take beta blocker regularly. But during an onset of afib episode, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? I have propranolol as PIP. Or should I ask for calcium blocker? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161140#msg-161140 Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:43:46 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161243#msg-161243 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161243#msg-161243 JoyWin AFIBBERS FORUM Wed, 04 Apr 2018 13:21:12 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161231#msg-161231 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161231#msg-161231 kong2018 AFIBBERS FORUM Wed, 04 Apr 2018 06:50:46 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161211#msg-161211 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161211#msg-161211 Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 03 Apr 2018 22:12:55 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161209#msg-161209 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161209#msg-161209 kong2018 AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 03 Apr 2018 21:25:18 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161191#msg-161191 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161191#msg-161191
2 different Worlds, trying to maintain NSR, and then being in AFIB.

Avoid Beta-Blockers if trying to maintain NSR, but once your in AFIB, then if your rate is too high, you need to bring it down.]]> The Anti-Fib AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 03 Apr 2018 12:01:16 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161188#msg-161188 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161188#msg-161188
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kong2018


Thanks for the info.....I've only done that at my EPs direction for 15 of 20 years. And he failed to ever mention that.

It's a rare side effect, but a very serious one. It's kind of odd. Some EPs are fanatical about including a beta blocker with flecainide for that reason, while others don't bother at all. Having experienced flutter with 1:1 conduction, which is what Anti-Fib was describing, I would definitely come down on the side of taking a BB along with flecainide. Trust me, you really won't like a heart rate of 250+.

This make me really nervous. I'm flying to Singapore next month with a 14 hour flight to Hong Kong, 3 hour layover, then another 4 hour flight to Singapore. I so worry about the 14 hour flight. If I got afib on the flight and take flecainide, then if it triggers 1:1 conduction, am I doomed? My EP had never mentioned I should take beta blocker with flecainide, but the cardiologist told me to take propranolol (beta blocker) first, wait 0.5 hour, then take 200mg flecainide, wait two hour and if not converted, then take another propranolol, then flecainide.

In your case, why even risk taking Flecainide on a Plane? Just take a Beta-Blocker and or a Calcium Channel Blocker to control the Rate. Dr's used to always insist on Hospitilization when using Flecainide for the 1st time. You've only taken Flec several times, and being on a Plane is not the time to experiment with Anti-Arrythmics. Just take what has worked in the past for Rate-Control. If it was me I wouldn't even take an unfamiliar AAM until I was back home. Finally IMO, taking 200mg of Flec, then another 200 several hours later is way too much too soon unless your experienced with this drug. 100mg, followed another 100mg 3 hours later makes more sense starting out. There is other serious issues that can arise from Flecainide besides the Flutter with 1:1 Conduction.]]> The Anti-Fib AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 03 Apr 2018 09:33:31 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161180#msg-161180 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161180#msg-161180
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kong2018
This make me really nervous. I'm flying to Singapore next month with a 14 hour flight to Hong Kong, 3 hour layover, then another 4 hour flight to Singapore. I so worry about the 14 hour flight. If I got afib on the flight and take flecainide, then if it triggers 1:1 conduction, am I doomed? My EP had never mentioned I should take beta blocker with flecainide, but the cardiologist told me to take propranolol (beta blocker) first, wait 0.5 hour, then take 200mg flecainide, wait two hour and if not converted, then take another propranolol, then flecainide.

There's no reason to be nervous about it. It's a very rare event. But the approach your cardiologist recommended is the safest course so just do that and you're good.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 03 Apr 2018 03:59:38 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161177#msg-161177 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161177#msg-161177
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Carey

Thanks for the info.....I've only done that at my EPs direction for 15 of 20 years. And he failed to ever mention that.

It's a rare side effect, but a very serious one. It's kind of odd. Some EPs are fanatical about including a beta blocker with flecainide for that reason, while others don't bother at all. Having experienced flutter with 1:1 conduction, which is what Anti-Fib was describing, I would definitely come down on the side of taking a BB along with flecainide. Trust me, you really won't like a heart rate of 250+.

This make me really nervous. I'm flying to Singapore next month with a 14 hour flight to Hong Kong, 3 hour layover, then another 4 hour flight to Singapore. I so worry about the 14 hour flight. If I got afib on the flight and take flecainide, then if it triggers 1:1 conduction, am I doomed? My EP had never mentioned I should take beta blocker with flecainide, but the cardiologist told me to take propranolol (beta blocker) first, wait 0.5 hour, then take 200mg flecainide, wait two hour and if not converted, then take another propranolol, then flecainide.]]> kong2018 AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 03 Apr 2018 02:56:18 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161173#msg-161173 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161173#msg-161173
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tsco
Thanks for the info.....I've only done that at my EPs direction for 15 of 20 years. And he failed to ever mention that.

It's a rare side effect, but a very serious one. It's kind of odd. Some EPs are fanatical about including a beta blocker with flecainide for that reason, while others don't bother at all. Having experienced flutter with 1:1 conduction, which is what Anti-Fib was describing, I would definitely come down on the side of taking a BB along with flecainide. Trust me, you really won't like a heart rate of 250+.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 03 Apr 2018 01:41:17 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161170#msg-161170 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161170#msg-161170 kong2018 AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 03 Apr 2018 00:32:28 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161153#msg-161153 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161153#msg-161153 tsco AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:27:19 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161149#msg-161149 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161149#msg-161149
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tsco
Flecainide usually works very well

Flecainide does slow the Heart down, but when taken during AFIB, a Beta-Blocker should be Combined with it, otherwise an even more dangerous Arrythmia can develope having to do with High-Speed Atrial Flutter.
Flecainide is actually a Anti-Arrythmic Drug, not a Rate-Control Drug, although it does work by slowing down electrical impulses within the Heart.]]> The Anti-Fib AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 02 Apr 2018 07:34:09 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161148#msg-161148 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161148#msg-161148
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wolfpack
What is your rate during an episode? Over 100 bpm and I’d say, yes, a PIP beta blocker would be good. Calcium channel blocker is an anti-arrythmic (AAR) medication, and does not do rate control but rather attempts rhythm control. PIP is an option for that as well, but you must discuss with your cardiologist first.

I agree, if the HR is elevated, than a Beta-Blocker makes sense. I disagree however about the Calcium Channel Blocker . CCB's have a variety of functions, primarily used to lower Blood Pressure. They do lower HR, and can be of great benefit during AFIB episodes for Rate Control. Experienced AFIB'ers including me have successfully used a CCB like Diltiazem, along with a low dose of Beta-Blocker for excellent Rate-Control. In my case I get by using a low dose (10mg) of the mild Beta-Blocker Bystolic combined with a moderate dose of Diltiazem (240mg). This puts my AFIB HR from 80-120 unmedicated down to 65-75.]]> The Anti-Fib AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 02 Apr 2018 07:23:24 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161147#msg-161147 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161147#msg-161147
[www.afibbers.org]

GeorgeN would be the Guy to ask about this, he has VM-AFIB.]]> The Anti-Fib AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 02 Apr 2018 07:10:54 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161144#msg-161144 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161144#msg-161144 tsco AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 02 Apr 2018 02:56:58 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161142#msg-161142 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161142#msg-161142 kong2018 AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 02 Apr 2018 02:12:48 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161141#msg-161141 Re: During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161141#msg-161141 wolfpack AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 02 Apr 2018 01:06:47 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161140#msg-161140 During vagal mediated afib, should I take beta blocker to lower heart rate? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,161140,161140#msg-161140 kong2018 AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 02 Apr 2018 00:34:15 +0000