Blood pressure and fast heart beat

[susan303]

Hello everyone, My name is Susan and I am very scared and don't know what to do.  I am 33 years old with no history AT ALL of ANY HEART ISSUES.  Last Thursday  on the 8th  of January I started not feeling good.  For some reason I took my blood pressure and it was very high for me.  The bottome number along was over a 100.  The top ranged from 140 to 160 and the bottome4 number was always over 100.  I also noticed that my heart rate was over a 100 a well.  I went to the doctor Friday of last week and they did an EKG and it was normal.  I advised them I knew something was very wrong.  I have never had problems like this before.  At the visit my pulse was also over a 100.  I think around 108.  She gave a medicine called Metoprolol.  Which I take half in the morning at 12.5 and half at night at 12.5.  She said this medicine was very safe and effective.  And that it had been on the market for a very long time.  I became upset because I know I have a serious problem with of course no history of heart problems.  I asked her if would should try to found the problem first than do the medicine next since that it might cover up the problem.  She disagreed and gave me the prescription and advised me she would see me in two weeks for follow up for this problem.  I went back to the doctor again today hoping for answers, but was advised I need to take the medicine.  They have me something called Klonopin to help relax me and the body to see if that will help the heart rate.  I seen someone different today.  She order a holter monitor, stress test, and other things I can't spell.  I also have an appointment with a heart doctor Monday the 19th at 10:30am.  
Has anyone taken metoprolol?  Or the Klonopin to help relax the body? I am so afraid of new medicines.  I am scared to death about my heart rate.  I was also told to lay off the caffine, because it can also increase the heart rate as well. Is there anything else that I can do.  Any advice or suggestions would be so appreciated.  I just don't understand how this has happen or why.  Has anyone else had to go thru this or something like it?  I have no family history of heart problems or disease.  Thanks again.... Susan

[Mottec]

hi
you can hope that the high bp and pulse is not going to be common. Get some test done if it reapeats. 25 mg is a small dose. You might experience cold feet and probably sleep a little longer. those are the most common side effects of metropolol.

[Stephanie2410]

I have the same thing as we speak and no one seems to know what the problem is!!! My Blood Pressure stay high with the rapid heartbeat! I have had every test dam near known to man and they still can't find anything, all the test always come back normal!

[dancingheart]

Yep, I am currently taking Metoprolol (Toporol XL) 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening.  I am also on Klonopin .75 mg 3 times a day.  I have a high pulse 80-90s resting and up 100-130.  I too feel very sick and just started being treated for Generalized Anxiety disorder with panic.  I also have Supraventricular Tachycardia, and just Diagnosed with Sino Atrial Node Dysfunction, both made super worse by panic and anxiety.  So a cardiac workup is important and I glad to see that your doctor is doing all they can.  I just want to let you know that anxiety can really cause these same symptoms... and is curable... I am hoping that this is all that it is for you and everything shows up okay for your heart. Brooke_38 is correct in what she says. Don't worry too much about the Klonopin being habit forming I have taken 4 mg before and have totally gotten off it safely over a 3 month period with very little withdrawals.  A word of note also do not get worked up if when you start taking the Klonopin and Metoprolol if they make you very groggy, fatigued, and tired...these side effects worked out of me in about 3 weeks.  I too don't know how this happened to me too...One word of advice...try not to be too afraid, knowing the doctors are doing the tests they need to do...fear tends to make things worse...I know that is easier said than done...I am trying to put this same ting into practice... Please keep us updated...I'll be thinking of you.

[Brooke_38]

Hi Susan...

I can understand your frustration when you go to the Dr feeling poorly only to be handed a prescription and told to have a nice day...by no means giving you a "rhyme to the reason" so to speak.

It sounds like the new Dr you saw has stepped up to the plate and has ordered all the standard cardiac tests that are done to rule in or out heart or vascular related problems.

As far as the medication you were told to take. Metoprolol is in a class of drugs known as Betablockers. This will help your symptoms by lowering both your heart rate as well as your bloodpressure. If your BP is truly this high, you really should take this medication while you are undergoing your tests. It will not mask any underlying problem. If there is a problem it will show up regardless of the use of this drug.

As for Klonopin. This is in the Benzodiazapine class. It is for short term use and should not be used long term unless the Dr tells you otherwise. This particular class of  anti-anxiety medication can be habitforming and cause severe withdrawl effects if stopped abruptly.

I am sure that you will get to the bottom of all this and that you will be ok. In the mean time, this forum is frequented by MANY wonderful, caring and supportive people. If you need anything from us...Just gives us a shout!:)

[nervouslady]

Hi Susan,
Sounds like the person you met with today is ordering all of the right tests and is going to take the time to get to the bottom of this.  

My guess, too, is that it will be nothing serious.  But these tests will give you the peace of mind you need.   Do you think that your high BP and heart rate could have been caused by anxiety or an anxiety attack?  Panic attacks can make you not feel good, increase your heart rate and, temporarily, your blood pressure too.  They are not life threatening, just really, really scary.  

[jkfrench]

Don't worry, this doctor will run all the tests and if your heart is structurally fine (which it will be) then your situation will be like ours..unnerving but not life threatening.
A pulse of 108 is not that bad at all.  This is how my problems all started.  I was in high school and started running a fast pulse for no reason.  I'm still here today at 48 and you have a long journey ahead of you also.

I don't know about the meds.  I'm sure Brooke will jump in to let you know, but I"m like you..very afraid to take anything.  I was given tenormin and it was a miracle pill for me.  It slowed my heart down and all I took was 1/4 of a pill.  Break the pills in half like you are doing and check your pulse and blood pressure over the next few days.  I bet you will start to feel a little better.  Please don't worry over this unless you are given reason to.  It can be life altering if you do.  
Stay away from caffiene, chocolate, sugar, alcholol until your tests are complete.  They can trigger the heart to speed up.  Do you have the heart nomitor on now?
Don't worry
Frenchie