BPM is worrying me

[Angina42]

hey all,

So my story in short, I had a heart attack 12 weeks ago and 3 stents put in. All successful and was given lots of medication to take daily.

I passed my stress echocardiogram a few weeks ago and have only just been able to see my Cardiologist who thinks everything was going well.

My blood pressure has always been high and my cardiologist has doubled my dose of Metoprolol from 50mg to 100mg per day to help with this.

I’m feeling very light headed and nauseous this week though and is it normal for me to have a slower heart rate. It’s between 50-60 most of the day even through housework and exercise.

Is my dose too high ?

Is the dizziness and feeling lightheaded normal with this dose.

Any help would put my anxious mind at ease.

After the heart attack I’ve suffered with bad anxiety and everything makes me nervous such as this situation.

Thank you so much

Xx

[bluemoon572]

I'm not a fan of beta blockers as first line treatment of hypertension but they are indicated for you since you've had a heart attack. However rather than pushing the dose higher and slowing your heart rate and causing fatigue or lightheadedness,why not keep the dose of metoprolol the same and add an antihypertensive medication like lisinopril or amlodipine, which are also good for the heart muscle and don't slow the heart rate or cause fatigue? BP of 130/80 or lower is good. Discuss your lightheadedness & slow heart rate,even with physical activity, with the cardiologist.

[Angina42 in reply to bluemoon572]

Thank you for your response

I also take amlodipine.

My blood pressure was always around 180/100 so it’s definitely needed. High blood pressure and heart attacks also run in my family. I’m only 42 so really have to do what I’ve been told because I want to live a long healthy life.

Made many changes to my lifestyle and in 12 weeks have lost 22kg eating healthy and drinking lots of water, limiting my coffee intake which used to be 10 per day and I’m trying to start exercising but anxiety and this dizziness is stopping me from doing this.

Will definitely talk it over with my doctor and chat about maybe lowering the dose and adding in more exercise to hopefully help with the blood pressure.

At the moment I’m finding it really hard to get through my day without needing to lay down.

Thanks again x

[Happyrosie]

as Bluemoon says.

You are doing well on the diet front - are you watching your salt intake though? Lots of helpful information on the website of the specialist charity Blood Pressure UK.

If you cannot get an appointment with the cardio, speak to the pharmacist at your doctors group of surgeries (most have them) as they are the real experts on pharmacology

[Angina42 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you so much

Here in Australia I’m on a calorie controlled diet that is sent to my house. It’s called lite’n’easy. I haven’t checked the sodium levels of my meals but I definitely will.

I’ve only just had a full blood test checking cholesterol, sugars and things like that so I’ll get those results hopefully tomorrow and see if there is any changes I need to make.

Xx

[EMBoy]

As Happyrosie says - watch your salt intake, but remember that too little salt is as dangerous as too much.

You say that you are drinking lots of water, and that you live in Australia. If you live in a hot climate, you will lose a lot of salt through sweating, and if you are also drinking lots of water, you may reduce your blood sodium concentration; so it might be a good idea to have your levels checked.