Weird pulse changes -- no explanation - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

onnason · 01-20-2004, 02:07 PM

Hi -- I'm on 75 mg. of Atenolol (50 mg. AM/25 mg. PM) and have been on this dose for over a year now. My pulse has always been disturbingly high to me -- even while on Atenolol, it averages around 90 bpm. My doctor chalked it up to anxiety. But all of a sudden, out of nowhere, my pulse has plummeted from its usual 90 bmp down to 60 bpm. The 60 bpm doesn't concern me -- I know Atenolol lowers pulse rates -- but why now, all of a sudden?

I weigh the same, I haven't been exercising or doing anything differently -- just out of the blue, this low pulse rate. And even my BP has come down from its usual 114/78 to 102/68 or so. I know neither my new and improved pulse readings or BP readings are alarmingly low -- they're actually good -- but the change is what's concerning me so much.

....and, of course, the anxiety of all of this has caused my weird chest pains to come back.....

Thanks so much for your replies.

zip2play · 01-21-2004, 05:59 AM

amarra,

Atenolol is doing exactly what atenolol does. Worry not about the change!
Why the double dosing though; it's designed as a one-a-day drug (for good or evil

?)

But do get the "weird" chest pains checked out.
Have you ever had a stress test?

onnason · 01-21-2004, 06:09 AM

Thanks for responding -- I see that you're one of the veterans on this board, and I'm so happy you took the time to respond. I feel better now about the changes!

The doctor told me to take Atenolol 2X a day (50 mg AM/25 mg PM) because 75 mg. in the morning was making me dizzy/nauseous and 50 mg. wasn't enough to control the BP. About 12 hours later, I was spiking again. I personally think Atenolol isn't the drug for me, but my doctor seems determined. I'm only 37 but about 60 lbs. overweight (working on it!), and she feels my BP is all stress/anxiety related as well as weight related. So she doesn't want to put me on too many meds. I'm also on triamterene, a diuretic.

I had a stress echo about 2 1/2 years ago. Again, the doctor said it was all clear. I've had other tests done for my heart, and she says everything is a.o.k. Even some new blood tests to determine your risk of heart disease -- all good. I have good cholesterol, too. I toyed with seeing a cardiologist (she's my regular MD), but she says it's not necessary. I don't know -- this whole thing gets very frustrating and I'm trying not to blow it out of proportion, but it does get scary!

zip2play · 01-21-2004, 06:36 AM

Everything seems aok then Amarra.

I have been taking 50 mg. atenolol for the last 30 days. That's QUITE enough of a trial for me. I CANNOT sleep for more than 3 hours a night with the wretched stuff.
I am going back to my old way- a little Cozaar, a little thiazide and a liittle morning propranolol.

Had I not needed a stent this month, I'd NEVER had allowed myself to be talked into atenolol (WITH Norvasc AND thiazide)....who in blue blazes needs readings like 95/65...48 BPM...and NO SLEEP.

I'm seeing cardiologist for followup today and starting weening doses of atenolol tonight....risky to do cold turkey! NEVER again with any beta blocker except teeny quick-hit propranolol.