Metoprolol For Heart Palpitations (Top voted first)

I was having heart palpitations and the dr suggested I see a cardiologist for them. 4 days before I saw her I was having episodes of them along with some chest pain and at one time blue nails. It all subsided now. My pulse rate and BP were good but because heart disease runs in the family she put me on metoprolol 25 mg split in 2 doses and told me to go to the hospital if my pulse went down to 60. It did, so I went to the hospital, had all tests done and everything was normal. They even gave me an angiogram with no problem there, but my pulse continued to fluctuate between the low 40s to 50s. My primary stated she gave you this for heart palpitations and to get off of it now. She did something wrong and she never told me why I needed to go to the hospital if my pulse went down to 60. The er dr wondered why she picked that number. Could anyone give me an answer or reason why she would put me on metoprolol?

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Hello, Dorothy! How are you doing, now?

Usually, if cardiology doesn't find anything wrong, there is no treatment required for palpitations, in most cases they are just an unusual awareness of your heartbeat, but not dangerous. What types of tests did she do?

Some medications, such as Metoprolol, which are used to treat high blood pressure, and some cardiac conditions, can cause a lowered heart rate, according to FDA reports. Other side effects may include nausea, dizziness, headache, hypotension, and increased urination.

She may have chosen 60, since it is usually the lower number considered normal, so there could be some concern that it may continue to drop, thus getting medical attention when you count it as being at 60, could get you medical treatment in time to prevent further problems. What was your normal heart rate, on average, before taking the Metoprolol? In my case, I tend to run high and am usually in the mid to upper 80's, so if I dropped to 60, it would be a real concern that something odd could be going on.

Are you on any other medications?

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To prop is a beta blocker. They lower blood pressure by decreasing cardiac load and slowing pulse. You did not mention if the palpitations were premature ventricular beats which would explain your pulse going below 60. If You count PVC or take by digital machine because it can not detect the premature beat it appears as if your pulsevis extra slow. It does not catch the premature beat. That is just one explanation. They also use Topral for anxiety related palpitations. Of all cardiac tests were normal meaning EKG and echo and yet you are still getting palpitations may be time to re evaluate why you are having them. If blood pressure is high also maybe switch to calcium channel blocker instead. Many things to explore. Hope this helps.
Nurse V.

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Dorothy, are you taking thyroid meds? This happened to me and I found out it was due to the thyroid med causing palpitations, when I decreased the dose by half and took half twice a day the palps stopped. No dr or cardiologist thought investigate the thyroid meds, altho it is a common side effect.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

NO test were given before ordered pulse would generally be around in the 70s . I am on no MEDS that would have dropped pulse so low. Was on the same MEDS before this happened.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

MY pulse rate only started to lower once I was on the med. She ordered the halter for me to wear after I was on the med.once I was on med that's when all this began . Halter was put on about 10 days later . She had ordered the halter at the first visit.she did a ekg in her office no problem normal

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Hi Dorothy, I take those same pills for high BP. Either for that? Or it is causing that? Not sure but I have the breathlessness as well. I have the word Tartrate 50 mgs after Metoprolol..I want to cut back!

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

I was on only the MEDS that I had been on for sometime no problem with them. I am getting slowly back to normal. And no the np didn't order any test before she put me on it. All the problems started when I started the pill and had to go through all the tests in the hospital for not even having a problem with the heart.the med she put me on was metoprolol tartrate 25 mg one half pill 2x daily.even had an angiogram no problem there. Was in the hospital for 4 days .it was a traumatic time for me .since off heart rate has gone back to normal. Thanks for the concern.

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Re: Dorothy (# 5)

I started Metoprolol for similar reasons: had heart palps for almost 24 hours straight and spent the night in the ER. Thankfully they were just PAC/PVCs and not a more serious arhythmia. So started on 50mg Metoprolol (also had a high resting heart rate near 100). No doubt all stress related which I’ll leave out details. I’m guessing we all react differently to this kinda medication. I haven’t “skipped a beat” since but my heart rate is still 80s. Should def see a cardiologist who’s way more knowledgable than any GP. And not something to mess around with for sure.

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First dear, know what you have, like atrial fibrillation for example, they do give BETALOC or metroprolol as you call it to relax spasms of heart veins, anxiety tachycardia, in which the brain panics and worries and activates the adrenaline system, known as panic disorder. Xanax 1 mg is good for that short term. BETALOC is a beta blocker which can make your lungs and heart slow down more or cause brochospams making it hard to breath. The worst is INDERAL, but you ask the doctor or get a second opinion on what exact you have in family history. My wife has PDA. She was born premature. We closed the PDA when she was older. Her heart is enlarged, valves leak, etc... She developed AFib. She uses NIFEDIPINE XR 60 in the afternoon and KARVEA 300 in the morning. The BETALOC almost killed her. She was on that. If you have high blood pressure especially, calcium channel blockers like Nifedipine are much better or cardizem which I use. The beta blockers were popular in the 70s. The stage fright medicines they use to call them (TRACICOR, INDERAL, BETALOC, TENORMIN, etc, etc.). If you worry, your heart pumps fast, anxiety is caused by this and also adrenaline. Just ask your doctor what exact you have... No, say it is in the family, etc. Know what you have and what you are treated for. If you have an enlarged heart or high blood pressure, use NIFEDIPINE XR 60 in the afternoon and KARVEA 300 in the morning. That will settle it all down but ask your doctor. For example, for the AF they do give AMIODARONE 100mg known as ARATAC. This medication lasts longer in the blood. I found calcium channel blockers to be more beneficial than beta blockers. Wish you well.

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My heart is beating so fast since February nd April ,I went to the Dr in March but my heart still beats nd right know I went to the.dr again and he gave me pur -bloka I wonder what is wrong with my heart help me

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I have atrial fib. Is Metoprolol tartrate the right drug for me? My doctor prescribed this.

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I am a patient of high blood pressure and am presently taking concor and amcard, but over the last few days I have been feeling palpitations. How do I treat it?

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

Hi. I have been taking Propranolol for 7 years now for my heart arrhythmia and it just speeds up, etc. Was doing fine with it. Miracle drug. I saw a new cardiologist and she didnt like me on it so put me on Metoprolol. My life has been turned upside down it seems. At first it made me feel swollen all over, even my lips and tongue. I didnt see any difference in my heart. I couldnt satnd that swollen feeling so i called the pharmacist to see if i could go back to Propranolol and he said yes. This was 7 days in to it. I was on it for 2 days and i felt even worse, dont know why so i went back to Metoprolol. I fee terrible and my blood pressure is 90/60. I called the dr and they didnt call me back so i decided to take half the pill and thats better, 104/67. That's better but I feel dizzy like I'm going to pass out and feel like I need to take deep breaths to get me moving. Never had these problems before. I just want to go back to Propranolol and be the way it used to be. I don't know if this has forever messed me up or what.

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I have been on metoprolol for prolly 20 years for pvc s. Started during menopause.. took 25 am and 25 pm my pulse would run lower 50 s . Now bp rises an increase me to 50 am and 50 pm. Pulse rate drops to 48 and 49. So switched me to carvedilol 6.25 am and pm. So far a few pvc s here and there. But i do know magnesium really helps with this problem.

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