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What Causes Low Heart Rate While On Beta Blockers?
Question: I am just getting over sinus infection from a cold and have been having slow heartbeats (low 50's at rest). I have history of svt with ablation in 2006, and have pacs and pvcs. I take labetalol only 50 mg bid bc I am sensitive to meds. I went to urgent care today and they did ekg and it was normal, I think my pulse was above 60 since it was normal. I am worried about myocarditis because I read viruses cause it and it can cause low heart rate. would my ekg have been normal if I had something like that going on? I want to see cardio asap but have to make it through weekend. Should I go to er? I'm worrying myself sick. My palps have been bad but i am so stressed over this plus I held my beta blocker last night but took it today because my heart rate wasn't as low. I am on doxycycline for sinus infection btw.
Brief Answer:
you need not worry about low heart rate
Detailed Answer:
Hello,XXXXX,I am Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD
i have gone through your query.I would like to know which beta blocker you are taking?Labetalol already contains a beta blocker(it is combination of alpha and beta blocker)Are you taking beta blocker over and above labetalol?
Both these medicines lower heart rate.Their action persists even upto 48 hours or beyond after stopping it.So in your case heart rate between 50 to 60 should not cause any anxiety for you.
At the same time i would like to know what were your symptoms which forced you to rush to urgent care?your current symptoms must be due to sinus infection.patients with myocarditis usually have tachycardia( high pulse rate).Normal EKG does not rule out myocarditis.For that you need to do echocardiography with clinical correlation.
If you do not have significant shortness of breath,chest pain and fever along with tachycardia it is unlikely that you have myocarditis.Sometimes in myocarditis heart rate may be low ,but then EKG would not be normal.
so you have less chances of myocarditis.
you may please give me feedback of your complaints,
My best wishes
Dr.Rajesh Teli.MD
you need not worry about low heart rate
Detailed Answer:
Hello,XXXXX,I am Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD
i have gone through your query.I would like to know which beta blocker you are taking?Labetalol already contains a beta blocker(it is combination of alpha and beta blocker)Are you taking beta blocker over and above labetalol?
Both these medicines lower heart rate.Their action persists even upto 48 hours or beyond after stopping it.So in your case heart rate between 50 to 60 should not cause any anxiety for you.
At the same time i would like to know what were your symptoms which forced you to rush to urgent care?your current symptoms must be due to sinus infection.patients with myocarditis usually have tachycardia( high pulse rate).Normal EKG does not rule out myocarditis.For that you need to do echocardiography with clinical correlation.
If you do not have significant shortness of breath,chest pain and fever along with tachycardia it is unlikely that you have myocarditis.Sometimes in myocarditis heart rate may be low ,but then EKG would not be normal.
so you have less chances of myocarditis.
you may please give me feedback of your complaints,
My best wishes
Dr.Rajesh Teli.MD
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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