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What Causes Slow Pulse Rate Inspite Of Using Metroprolol For BP?
Posted on
Wed, 14 May 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 14 May 2014
Answered on
Tue, 3 Jun 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : when I am sitting down my pulse is between 39 and 49 mostly low 40s I am a 51 yr old male moderate active bmi 30 I am taking two 50mg metroporol for blood pressure resting bp 135/90 I have no other symptoms apart from tiredness in evenings and cold hands mostly left hand, I play racketball once a week for 2 hrs and work in construction
Brief Answer:
Reduce dose
Detailed Answer:
Your slow pulse rate is most likely due to metoprolol. If I saw someone like you in my practice I immediately recommend reducing the dose from two to one tablet daily.
I further advice such a person to then contact the prescribing physician promptly to notify him or her of the change.
There is a systematic evaluation for 'bradycardia' which is the medical term for a slow pulse rate.
Although in this instance it appears to attributable to the metoprolol dose, it is still important to rule out other conditions that can cause it such as an under active thyroid ('hypothyroidism'), and certain types of heart rhythm problems.
Metoprolol should not be stopped suddenly.The dose is to be very gradually tapered down to the target pulse rate of around 60. Speak with the doctor who prescribed this medication to you soon, and if necessary some blood tests may be run such as a TSH to check for the thyroid condition
Reduce dose
Detailed Answer:
Your slow pulse rate is most likely due to metoprolol. If I saw someone like you in my practice I immediately recommend reducing the dose from two to one tablet daily.
I further advice such a person to then contact the prescribing physician promptly to notify him or her of the change.
There is a systematic evaluation for 'bradycardia' which is the medical term for a slow pulse rate.
Although in this instance it appears to attributable to the metoprolol dose, it is still important to rule out other conditions that can cause it such as an under active thyroid ('hypothyroidism'), and certain types of heart rhythm problems.
Metoprolol should not be stopped suddenly.The dose is to be very gradually tapered down to the target pulse rate of around 60. Speak with the doctor who prescribed this medication to you soon, and if necessary some blood tests may be run such as a TSH to check for the thyroid condition
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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