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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Bradycardia and Beta Blockers
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Bradycardia and Beta Blockers
by John-Paravantis, May 09, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by John Paravantis on May 09, 1999 at 17:32:36
Thanks for this wonderful site. A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to receive a detailed reply to a PVC related message and it greatly put my mind at ease. I have since found that most of my PVCs are stress-induced; I have also found (and I am quite happy about it) that over 60% of healthy adults show some PVCs in a 24-hour Holter moniroting.
Here ensues my present question. I am currently 39 years of age and was on Inderal for about a couple of years around 18 years old. Before that time (in my teen years), I was told that I had a "natural" sinus fast heart rate and had on a couple of occasions registered slightly elevated blood pressure (i.e. 140/90). After 2 years on Inderal, I stopped taking it and have never been on any medication since. From time to time, I had been aware, but noticed it only lately as I perused my Holter results (all normal with 250 PVCs), of the fact that I have a rather slow pulse rate, i.e. it may fall to 50+ at quite spells during the day. When I exercice or simple get excited, my heart rate does respond reaching e.g. about 150 when biking. Yet, when I have a really relaxed weekend, I have caught my heart rate being 50-55 (49 once), and my Holter showed that it actually fell to 40-43 while sleeping! I should mention that a stress-test and an echocardiogram came back normal except that the echo verified that I have a mild mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation.
I should mention that I am never symptomatic, (in fact my pulse is low when I am relaxed so I usually feel wonderfull). Because of the PVCs, I have totally cut off caffeine (including decaff and Coke) and take some Omega-3 salmon oil tablets which, if nothing else, act as placebo! I should also mention that for many years now have also greatly lowered salt to reduce my risk of hypertension which plagues my mother. Although I eat absolutely no additional salt, I eat a bit of everything and, following the advice given to me by MedHelp in my previous message, exercice 2 or 3 times a week (biking).
To recap, I which to know whether it sounds like I should be concerned about my oftentimes slow heart rate. Is 43 bpm while sleeping normal? Could my use of Inderal for 2 years have permanently slowed down my heart (it did, the question is whether there is a causal association)? Should I be concerned about the future?
Do allow me to express my gratitude for your site once more.
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on May 12, 1999 at 10:24:38
Dear John,
TOTALLY NORMAL for the heart rate to slow at times of peace and tranquility, especially that time of sleep! And no the beta blockers have not affected your heart rate long term.
One other thing- YOU SHOULD WORK UP OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO EXERCISING EVERYDAY, NOT JUST A FEW TIMES A WEEK.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general
purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to
write back with additional questions. Good luck.
