Beta blocker

[Tekla]

My heart would not stop racing after doing the vagal manoeuvre as it usually does.

Talked to my doctor by phone who prescribed beta blocker pills for anxiety.

My usual resting heartrate is around 50-55 and it was racing at 150+ for 2 hours.

My blood pressure was around 169 -154/93/109. Finally went down after talking to the doctor to 120/86/85.

I am nervous about an upcoming colonoscopy which may have provoked the episode.

Do the beta blockers work?

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes, they do. Which ones have you been prescribed?

[Tekla in reply to jeanjeannie50]

metoprolol tartrate. To use when needed if I can't get my heartrate back down. Also for anxiety. Good to know that I have something to use if I can't lower it naturally. low dose 25 mg.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Tekla]

I got on well with Metoprolol, took it for years but while in hospital recently it was changed to Bisoprolol. I don't think it works as well but I'm still getting over pneumonia and covid and I'm not sure if those infections are causing my heart to race at times now when I move around. Was your heart constantly at 150bpm or up and down in rate?

[Sanekate]

i had my first episode of atrial fibrillation a few weeks back- heartbeat at 180+ for 18 hours. It was frightening but eta blockers brought it under control (Bisoprolol is the kind I now take). Consultant thought it was possibly PMR interfering with heart's electrical signal. They've now got me on a low dose of betablockers and blood thinners, with aim of reviewing if/when pmr goes into remission.

[Tekla in reply to Sanekate]

my heart rate is usually low in the 50s. It spikes sometimes but usually I can get it down naturally. I heard this drug may make you drowsy.

[Siforce71]

Hi there,

I know exactly how you feel, I’m on beta blockers Antenolol for anxiety, eptopic beats and fast heart rate,

I once phoned for an ambulance because my heart rate would not slow down, really scared myself, which obviously made it worse!

I find the more you focus on your heart rate the worse it becomes, triggering more anxiety which releases more adrenaline leading to an increased heart rate turning into a vicious cycle,

Beta blockers do make you feel more tired and slower, it’s the relaxing feeling from this that gives you a calming affect, I really like it, much better than the horrible anxiety adrenaline induced palpitations,

I did have a panic attack the other day but the beta blockers done their job, it was a weird feeling of fight and flight response without the adrenaline rush, heart rate was fine.so they work on the physical sensation not the psychological sensation, I use mindfulness for that.

I was taking them as and when I needed to like a pill in the pocket but I find it better if I take mine each day, only on a low dose 25mg was on 50mg but felt too tired but I can increase my dosage to 50mg if I’m too anxious.

I’ve got an appointment with a gastroenterologist so will definitely be taking 50mg that day.

Stick with your beta blockers you’ll be ok.

[Tekla in reply to Siforce71]

thanks! I went to the emergency twice. My son drove me. By the time I got there my heart was fine. BP a bit high but otherwise felt silly sitting there for hours. Now I have these little pills that I will take if my heart goes off. Gives me a sense of security. But I can't drive right away I heard. I teach fitness and my heart is fine during the class. I took a stress test and echocardiogram and both were fine. Went for another EKG today.

[Siforce71]

Hi there,

I’m sure your heart is fine, you’ve had test to rule out anything untoward, anxiety can mimic so many symptoms, once you start to panic it’s hard to control them especially if it’s heart related, your irrational side of your brain over powers your rational side resulting in a cocktail of adrenaline, fear and panic!

Your Beta blockers will definitely take the edge of your symptoms that’s for sure,

As for driving you just have to see how your Beta blockers affect your ability to react,

Some people are ok to drive with them some people are not, it took me 2 weeks to get used to them and how they affect my reaction time, I drive ok now whilst taking them.

Just take your Beta blockers as your Doctor instructed, if you feel they affect your driving don’t drive until you feel ok on them,

Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.

[Tekla]

thanks!

[TracyAdmin Partner ArrhythmiaAlliance]

Beta Blockers are prescribed to slow down an abnormally high heart rate and try to maintain a sinus rhythm. They protect the heart from the effects of adrenaline, slowing down the activity of the heart muscle, which also reduced BP. Have you visited the Arrhythmia Alliance webpage? heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/...

You may wish to download some of the patient resources regarding all anti-arrhythmic medications, including beta blockers: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

booklet

[Tekla in reply to TracyAdmin]

Thanks. I have posted in the AA webpage. I looked up the drug treatment link but I did not see metoprolol tartrate. I'm seeing my doctor Friday. My episodes are sporadic and usually short lasting except for the occasional one.