How do beta blockers affect you?

[paolina]

I'm take 7.5 mg Cardicor every day, but have a feeling that it's too much. I did start on 5mg but the Cardio put it up in the first week, during the hot weather it seemed O.K but now it's cold I feel as if my blood pressure has gone very low sometimes.

[Afib2012]

Hello... If you feel it's to much say something. I am on a calcium channel blocker (verapamil) and he was going to up it and I told him no because my b/p was already to low. He was going off my last visit to him so I checked my b/p and told him what it was. He then realized he couldn't do that. My afib is minimal at this point but I am seeing an electrophysiologist on the 25th to decide on ablation. Have you had that done?

[paolina in reply to Afib2012]

I'm seeing a cardiologist next month about having a cardioversion done, so will see what he says. My GP prescribes what they tell him, so I don't know if he'd alter it without them knowing, and it's also difficult to see the same cardio. I wish I'd gone private and at least I'd them have one person to refer to.

[Afib2012 in reply to paolina]

Good luck to you!!! I hope it helps..it is hard when you see different drs.

[Lollipop7519 in reply to Afib2012]

What is the ablation procedure ?

[TheStand]

paolina,

Although the blood pressure is a concern with beta blockers.... The primary concern is the heart rate. I always suggest to anyone on beta blockers that they get one of the automatic BP machines for home use. They are pretty cheap now. It's nice knowing your BP but it also gives you your pulse rate. Beta blockers slow down the heart rate to decrease BP. My dosage was decreased for Metaprolol because my heart rate was down in the 40's range But it did not have that great an affect on my BP. When I had an appt with my EP I told her that most days my Heart rate was in the 40's she adjusted my dosage to get my heart rate back into the mid 50's and I actually felt much better. My problem with the cold is caused by the blood thinners.

Tim

[paolina in reply to TheStand]

I do have a BP machine, I don't know how accurate is though! I don't understand about the pulse rate, it always seems to be between 70 and 80 but alters quite a lot. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.

[TheStand]

The normal heart rate (pulse) is between 60 and 80 BPM (beats per minute). Beta Blockers slow down the heart rate and by doing that reduce the blood pressure. I would say that the normal heart rate for a person taking beta blockers is usually in the 50's to low 60's. If your normal readings on beta blockers is between 70 and 80 then you must have a very high heart rate. Like I said when I was taking my beta blocker my heart rate fell to the mid 40's and after the Dr decreased the dosage it went back up to the mid 50's.

[paolina in reply to TheStand]

Thanks.