I, too, have had problems with rapid heartbeat from various preventive meds -- interestlngly not so much from the Albuterol.
I have lately been using Asmanex which is quite effective and seems mot to cause those heart symptoms.
Sometimes you've got to try many different meds before you hit on the right one.
Ditab

Hi Hopesprings,
Try Asmanex! I found it about the only med that did not cause rapid heartbeat And it is also quite effective.
Ditab

Remember that Asmanex is a corticosteriod - only effective when used long term. You won't get instant relief from it.

Albuterol and xopenex are rescue inhalers - fast acting inhalers that you use to stop an attack. I use xopenex now - seems to be a bit more effective than albuterol and it doesn't have the side effects (increased heart rate, shakiness) that albuterol does. I have it in both inhaler and nebulizer forms. The nebulizer seems a bit more effective, but it is more time consuming and is less portable than the inhaler.