Suggest Ways To Control Heart Rate When Taking Norvasc

Posted on Tue, 7 Oct 2014

Question: I am on 5mg Norvasc, it controls bp but heart rate stays in 80s to 110. Was on coreg(3.12.5mg and 2.5mg Norvasc which kept heart rate in 60s or 70s (am 86 female) however I was told this combo should not be used by heart patients. What do you know about this?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
can worsen heart failure and angina

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is true that the combination of calcium channel blockers (such as norvasc) and beta blockers (such as coreg) is avoided in some persons.

This is because these medications interact with each other. They both cause reductions in heart rate, slow conduction of impulses through the heart and also reduce the contractions of the heart.

This can worsen heart failure (heart unable to supply needs of the heart) or angina (chest pain because reduced blood supply to different parts of the heart)

In addition the norvasc can affect the metabolism of beta blockers and therefore result in higher than normal levels.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar