Atrial Fibrillation

Hi. I'm going to be getting married soon and I am on Atenolol for daily chest pain and an arythmia. I've had all kinds of tests done, but doctors still can't tell me why I'm having the pain. My dad has had atrial fibrillation, and he has had the same symptoms as me when he was my age (I'm 21). Anyway, I know that Atenolol can be harmful to a fetus, and obviously I don't want to hurt my baby if I get pregnant. Does anyone know a good alternative to Atenolol that won't hurt a baby? I know it's best not to be on any medication during pregnancy, but I get so weak when I'm not on medication and my heart beats too fast at night making me not able to sleep. Also, I would be afraid to go through childbirth if I couldn't be on something to lower my heart beat.
I'll be going to the doctor before I get married, but I just wanted to be more informed before I go in and ask them. Thanks!

You seem to be knowing a lot about Atenolal, why it is prescribed, what are the advantages etc., so I am not telling anything about it here.

Your concern is whether Atenolal will affect the the growth of fetus or it would affect the baby when you get pregnant. Here you have a wrong information. Atenolal side effect does not include anything regarding pregnancy.

I am giving the Total Adverse Effects And Treatments of Atenolal
for your information-

The most frequent and serious adverse effects of beta blockers is directly related to its ability to block beta receptors. The most serious adverse effects are heart failure, heart block, and bronchspasm. Other more minor side-effects include fatigue and coldness of extremities. Reactions tend to be more severe after intravenous injection as opposed to oral administration.

Cardiovascular Effects -Include bradycardia and hypotension. Congestive heart failure or heart block, this can be precipitated in patients with previously underlying cardiac disorder. Abrupt withdrawal of beta blockers may exacerbate angina and may lead to sudden death.

Bronchospasm - This may be precipitated in some susceptible patients due to blockade of beta 2 receptors in the brochial smooth muscle. Pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and pleurisy have also been reported.

CNS Effects - These include depression, hallucinations, confusion and sleep disturbances. Convulsions and coma have been reported following beta blocker overdose. Beta blockers with a high lipid solubility are more likely to cause these effects. Atenolol is hydrophilic.

Fatigue - Including paraesthesia, prehipheral neuropathy and myopathies have been reported.

Gastro-Intestinal Effects - Nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal cramping.

Integumentary System Effects - Skin rash, pruritus, and reversible alopecia.

Ocular Effects - Decreased tear production, blurred vision and soreness

Haematological Effects - Nonthrombocytopenic purpura, thrombocytopenia, and rarely agranulocytosis. Transient eosinophilia can occur

Other Effects - These include metabolic changes that affect glucose control and cholesterol concentrations. Also lupus-like syndrome, male impotence, sclerosing peritonitis, and retroperitoneal fibrosis.

So you need not have any worry about your pregnency. However you can discuss with your doctor and take his advice also. Only the Gastro-Intestinal Effects - Nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal cramping may be noted and for this you can take some alternate remedy from your doctor. Wish you happy married life and lots of children -