? beta blocker

[sue3708]

I have an elevated resting heart rate but I also have low BP.  It has been suggested that a diagnosis of POTS or IST may be the cause.  It had also been suggested by an APRN that did my recent stress test that a bet blocker may help.  I know that they are used for hypertension as well.....Will this further lower my bp.  Waking bp runs 96/60.  During my stress test it only got up to 126/80.  i'm afraid if i start with a beta blocker I may pass out.  Is any one better than another for someone like myself?  38 year old female.

Thank you

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

You are not alone. This is a surprisingly common problem for people that notice their heart rates and for some that do not know that it is high.  Many beta blockers like metoprolol have significant effects on heart rate with little impact on blood pressure.  The only way to know how much it may effect you is to try it.  To be diagnosed with pots, you blood pressure must drop with standing.  If your heart increases with minimal activity with little effect on your blood pressure, that sounds more like IST.  Whether you try a beta blocker is a very personal decision depending on how much the fast heart rate/symptoms bother you.

I hope this helps.