Aortic Valve Replacement & Metoprolol

Posted By  CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on April 13, 1999 at 08:39:53
Topic Area: Congenital Heart
  I had a very successful AVR 7 weeks ago and have been taking 50mg (25 AM, 25 PM) metoprolol since the surgery.  My cardiologist is now weaning me off altogether.  This week I go to 25 a day and next week none, and thereafter.  He mentioned that I may have no ill effects whatsoever or could feel some ill effects but that it should only last a week or two, but to call if I really feel bad.  This would be the result of blood pressure rising more to normal and an increase in heart rate, I guess.  Seems to me there would be some positive effects also of more energy.  My question is what should I expect to feel, if anything, based on your general medical experience and items from others in this forum?  Right now I am starting to feel really good--better than before the surgery--and the thought of something to make me feel bad is, well, depressing unless I can look forward to feeling even better once off the medication.  Any thoughts?  Thanks!!

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

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Dear Sue
You are being weaned off a low dose of metoprolol over a slow period of time. While withdrawal from metoprolol can occur when this medicine is stopped abruptly, I doubt that would happen with a slow wean off a low dose such as what you are on. I suspect your energy level will increase as the medication is stopped.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.