Bradycardia and Hypertension conundrum

[caveman599]

I have had Bradycardia for as long as I can remember. Although the figures are alarming (42bpm, and 36bpm when asleep) they pose me no problem. I do not suffer with breathlessness, fainting or dizzy spells). I have seen or communicated with Cardiologists on a a number of occasions and they are not concerned either.

I also suffer with Hypertension with figures of 150/75 a regular occurrence. However on using ambulatory 24hr tests, I am deemed to be OK, although resting heart rate always gets a mention with a new GP and have in the past been sent for an ECG although I am reluctant as I know the outcome.

My concern these days is that I know that my Hypertension is largely due to family stresses and nothing seems to improve and neither does my Hypertension. I was prescribed Nifedipine a couple of years ago on the belief that it would help me open blood system to hands and feet, which are cold due to my Bradycardia. I was told it might help raise my resting heart rate too.

In the past, it was my understanding that medication for Hypertension would lower my resting heart rate and would be counterproductive.

My conundrum is. Would it make sense to have Pacemaker fitted to speed up my heart so that I could take medication for my Hypertension which would lower my heart rate without any concerns.

[Scotsman53]

I'd say that's a very good question but not really for this forum! We're not professional medics, just fellow patients. What I can say, from personal experience and much reading, is that meditation is highly recommended for all those affected by stress. I hope you find some way forward anyway.

[Kendalghost]

I have AF and have had 2 ablations, after the second I was advised that my heart rate was too low. It went down to 30 when they were doing the ablation, it also was going down to 30 whilst I slept. I was told no more ablations and a pacemaker was fitted a few months later. They are now trying to control the AF through medication which I couldn't take before with the low heart rate. My bradycardia was usually in the low 40s and dipped to the 30s after AF episodes. So I would follow the pacemaker path now.

[caveman599 in reply to Kendalghost]

Thanks for the reply/advice. The difference is that my bradycardia appears to be giving me no problems apart from restricting my use of medications for my hypertension. I can't convince myself of the paradox of the pacemaker to enable medication for hypertension.

Although I appreciate your advice, I was hoping for the "magical" answer of a medication for hypertension that "doesn't" lower heart rate.

[Kendalghost in reply to caveman599]

Yes but having a very low heart rate can be considered as dangerous and a risk to life, which is why I was offered the pacemaker. I to have hypertension and have taken medication for 30 years to keep it controlled. I had to avoid the beta blockers which lower the heart rate whilst controlling your blood pressure as these are the medications that you take with AF. You can ask for other medication to lower your blood pressure as there are many available and your GP should be able to advise you.

[Ennasti]

There are so many considerations to take into account with hypertension and bradycardia and it’s a question only for the experts.

I too have brady and hypertension although the current drug regime for me is working and my BP is now within normal range mostly, with still sometimes a higher than wanted diastolic pressure. I also have low heart rates (anything from 40-50 both day and night) and don’t suffer many affects of this.

So my advice is to chat to your doctor about reviewing your meds to ensure you get better control of your BP. It’s really important to keep blood pressure as low as possible.

[bee2]

I have exactly the same my heart rate goes down as low as 34.. My BP is high too but not always high. I can't get BP meds as they lower heart rate too. Cardiologists don't seem worried though .

[onadiet in reply to bee2]

There are some BP meds that may not lower HB.as much as others .CCB lower H.B but an ARB or ACE may only be marginal.?

[cachaciero]

In my reading of the subject of blood pressure the conclusion I have come to is that there is not a one size fits all as regards BP, while low is good every body has their own baseline.

In my case just having had two angio procedures in a short space of time it seems to be the case that choose what they do my BP drops quite precipitously after the procedure but within a couple of weeks its back to a range of between 130 to 170 systolic. Given that all medication has some side effects i accept that on my current level of medication a seven day average of 150 is as good as its going to get and refuse to worry about it any more.

[caveman599]

Thanks for all the input. I am firstly going to try lowering my BP mentally and if that doesn't happen, consult my GP for a referral to a Cardio - again.