Hi Anne,
I haven't experienced the high heart rate you're experiencing, but my cardiologist did switch my 25 mg 2x a day metoprolol tartrate blood plus 2.5 mg lisinopril pressure medication to once a day 25 mg extended release metoprolol succinate after I complained that my blood pressure was frequently around 90/low 60's and I was getting lightheaded. At the time, my pulse rate was in the low to mid 50's. Once I got adjusted to the new medication, I found that while my blood pressure, was still low at upper 90's/upper 60's, I was no longer getting lightheaded. My pulse rate, however, was now consistently in the upper 60's to 70 range.
This was somewhat shocking to me because both forms of metoprolol are supposed to lower your heart rate and because I currently am quite fit, not that far from the days when I was a long distance runner (I was running 50+ miles a week as late as when I was 60 years old-I'm now turning 70). Before calling my cardiologist, I decided to experiment by going back to the metoprolol tartrate for a week, but only at the reduced 25 mg/day dose (I took 12.5 mg in the morning and 12.5 mg at night because the tartrate is not extended release). I discovered that both my blood pressure and pulse rate remained the same as what they were under the succinate, and I went back to taking the succinate. I concluded that the increase in my pulse rate likely was do to the reduction in my metoprolol dosage from 50 mg a day to 25 mg a day.
This presents an interesting dilemma which I now have to discuss with my cardiologist, who once told me that the effect of beta blockers like metoprolol on blood pressure is almost secondary to the beneficial effects on the heart for people that have suffered heart attacks. While I clearly am better off with less metoprolol for purposes of blood pressure control, might I be better off with a higher dose for pulse rate purposes? Does it mean that perhaps a different beta blocker might provide me the lower level of blood pressure control that I need but yet more control over heart rate? I don't know yet, but I'll let you know what I learn from my cardiologist because there may be some crossover learning that might benefit you and others.
In the meantime, yes, take a chill pill. If it seems as if I'm pretty calm about my heart rate situation, basically self experimenting and actually enjoying analyzing the results, it is because I am quite calm about it. I suspect that many years of meditation practice has helped, as well as life lessons I've learned when facing death, and the perspective of the years generally, but whatever the reason, there it is. And what one person can achieve on an emotional, spiritual level, any person/every person can achieve. It is in our nature, part of the human condition to seek out and find a place of peace. You have that place and it is within you. Look and you will find it. And, having found it, you can still work to figure out why the hell your pulse rate is in the 90's and how to make it get back down to where it used to be.
Peace and Power (as we used to say in the late 60's),
Ira
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Ira Reid
Hoboken NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 20:14
From: Anne Birdsong
Subject: High Heart Rate
Thanks, Robert. Time to take a chill pill, I guess, lol.
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Anne Birdsong
Occupational Therapist
Rural
Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 20:01
From: Robert Sauder
Subject: High Heart Rate
Anne,
I wouldnt panic at this early stage of your recovery. I know of a few friends without issues that have resting pulse around 90 or so. I think if it stays elivated in the 110 or higher range it may be time to seek medical advice. I know atrial flutter can cause elivated heart rate,but it may not be in your case.
Best wishes for speedy recovery
Robert Sauder.
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Robert Sauder
Cumming GA
Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 19:49
From: Anne Birdsong
Subject: High Heart Rate
I'm 5 1/2 weeks post-OHS and just had my follow up appt with my surgeon. Everything looked amazing, except my heart rate has been high since the surgery (it was in the normal range pre-surgery). It is now 90 - 100 at rest, and can be 120 or more at the peak of my walks. He says sometimes it can take the body a little longer to adjust, and that if it's still over 90 about 3 - 4 mths post-surgery, we'll need to check it out further. But of course now I'm consulting Dr Google and getting worried. Anyone else have this problem?
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Anne Birdsong
Occupational Therapist
Rural
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