Hypertension, On Beta Blocker, Recurrent Bradycardia

Posted on Wed, 30 May 2012

Question: Age 59 male; 73" tall 157 lbs has had HBP well managed with Propranolol CR 80mg, Norvasc 5mg, Lisinipril 40mg. Normal stress test & thyroid but pulse is mid 40/50s; ocassionally drops to mid 30s with postural light headedness. On one occassion an emergency ECG was unremarkable. For future bradycardia are there any first-aid steps to do immediately before/while calling a doc? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (1 hour later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting your query.

It seems that the likely culprit in causing recurrent bradycardia/ slow heart rate is Propranolol. It is a Beta blocker which acts on the natural pace maker of the heart and slows the heart rate. Sometimes this effect can be marked and can result in symptomatic bradycardia in which the patient has extremely slow heart rate associated with giddiness and lightheadedness.

You should stop this drug immediately after consulting your doctor and in future avoid using any other drug of Beta blocker class. You can consult your doctor and get antihypertensives of other classes like Olmisartan prescribed.

There is no first aid measure to increase heart rate when you have bradycardia before calling your doctor.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Regards,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E