ECG on propranolol or should I stop it

[Lexie26]

I hope someone can help me double check this please. I'm due to have an ECG in a few weeks and wondering if I should stop my propranolol before it? I had an ECG in March which showed sinus tachycardia but didn't have many symptopms at the time so the GP decided to redo the ECG a few months later nd see how everything is. In the meantime, my symptopms got a lot worse and I asked a doctor to give me propranolol which has helped a lot (before that my heart rate was constantly going above 110 even when just sitting at my desk). Been on it for 3 months now and when I searched if I should stop the propranolol before my next ECG hospital advice which came up said stop 2 days before but I asked the GP surgery and they said no need to stop it. So which one is it? I just want to get an accurate reading and figure out what's causing my tachycardia. The ECG is done by a nurse at the GP surgery. Thank you for your advice.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

You should talk to the team who are going to do your ECG. They are the only group who can tell you and what they require and therefore what you should do . No-one else can provide that information.

[Lexie26 in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

thank you. I did. They are my GP surgery who told me not to stop it but I'd like to know other people's experience of a similar situation also to compare. I've had GP give me wrong information before so will not be surprised if they ask me to reschedule because they decide when I'm there that I should have stopped the meds

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to Lexie26]

Well, with respect, that's an issue between you and your GP surgery. People on here might have different experiences, as you have had from what you have told us, and again, with respect, I cant understand how that is going to help you, given its your own GP surgery who are the decision makers.

[Lexie26 in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

just curious to find out other people's experiences. I think you can learn a lot from that. I like to do my research and I don't see any harm in that.

[JTJH in reply to Lexie26]

I was told you shouldn’t just stop taking it you should taper down & then stop over a few weeks so definitely check first with GP.

[Lexie26 in reply to JTJH]

Thank you. Yes, that is correct. It needs to be tapered down slowly. I'm on a few other meds which work in the same way. If you stop it suddenly it can make your symptoms worse

[Zahry]

I would suppose it depends on whether the ECG is being offered with a view to determining how you are faring whilst on the Propanolol or how your heart is functioning when not taking it. The GP should be able to tell you.

[Lexie26 in reply to Zahry]

Thank you. I hadn't thought of that. I guess I will find out when I have my test. I think I was too focused on showing them how much worse things have gotten when not on the meds. I'll certainly make a note of this point so I can ask

[scentedgardener]

I'm not medically trained, but would think that you should continue on Propanolol as that is now normal for you, and they haven't told you to stop it. It is possible that your GP wants to compare your ECG before the med and now after, to see how effective it is for you.You don't say if your heart rate is lower since the medication.

I'm on bisoprolol, but never need to stop before ECGs at GP, in hospital, or using my Kardia.

Best of luck to you.

[Lexie26 in reply to scentedgardener]

Thank you. That makes sense and has put me more at ease. I do feel better on the propanol. My heart rate is around 80 on it which is the lowest it's ever been. But I have developed more symptoms since my last ECG. I feel an uncomfortable pressure sometimes now. Hopefully they can figure out what that is

[scentedgardener]

I'm glad you feel more at ease. It can be really scary when you feel something is wrong but don't know what. There is an infinite list of things it could be, your doctor will look at the whole picture, and to be honest, it could easily be stress, as that has a major impact on us all.My HR used to be about 60, when I was first given bisoprolol it could go quite low, so I always ask myself "How do I actually feel?" and I'm usually absolutely fine. It's now gone to 80, a result of issues other than my heart, but I'm still fine.

Because I have AF, but comes with unusual symptoms, I always ask for a copy of any ECG I have done, and save the ECGs I do with my Kardia. It has been proved very useful, I probably don't need to do that now as everything is more settled.

Don't worry too much, an ECG is just one tool among many. It might help to keep a little diary on what you had been doing, eating, drinking or feeling when you get these events, and include things like had you been short of sleep, etc

Good luck.

[Lexie26 in reply to scentedgardener]

that's very helpful, thank you

[37Polly]

I take propranolol 2xd 40 mg total, never stop for many Ecg.