Hi, my doctor prescribed 10mg propranolol twice a day. My heart rate went down to 48. My resting heart rate is between 58 and 65 without propranolol. Has anyone else experienced this?
Yes, my heart rate went down to 47 BMP. It's not an unsafe heart rate. If you don't feel weak, faint, etc then you're fine. I know it's kind of crazy, but I would just monitor how you feel. If you feel fine then don't worry about it.
Hello Nancy,
In a word, yes. I got atrial fibrillation and went on to bisoprolol fumarate. From a usual resting heart rate of 60, I went to 46. The doc upped the dose a little and though I stayed at 46 minimum, started feeling bad - the symptoms were like those of mild altitude sickness. Putting the dose back up stopped the symptoms.
Because I was feeling so desperately tired on the bisoprolol, I was put on slow release half beta prograne (propanolol is the active ingredient.)
My heart rate now varies from 46 to 52, depending on the time of day and how relaxed I'm feeling.
A beta blocker will slow the heart down...this is part of its role. Chilly feet and fingers are a common side effect. Dizziness and wobbliness after standing up are also common. Take time to get up slowly.
Thank you both for your quick replies. This will sound silly but the doctor gave me propranolol for anxiety and at the start I did feel very chilled. I felt so relaxed that I felt like I was hardly breathing, if that makes sense. That's when I decided to check my pulse and it was very low. This was only after a few days on just 10mgs. So now I feel more anxious because of the low heart rate!
Yes, I've heard of heart rates that low. What was your blood pressure before you started taking it and what is it now?
As far as I am aware my blood pressure did not change and remained normal
What's your normal? I'm scared to take mine because my bp runs low a lot.
I couldn't tell you. All I know is that my gp says " that's normal" I should pay more attention really. Anyway I have been in so much pain which is stressing me out that I decided to cut the 10mg in half and have been taking it in the morning and then in the evening if I need it. Even on 5mg my heart rate was 48 but it is doing the trick of keeping me calm at the moment
I'm feeling the same atm it's horrible I've been on propanolol for over 2 years for my anxiety causing fast heart rate but I have been getting a lot better with my anxiety and not getting palpitations as much my normal heart rate is about 60-70 but now I'm worried every time I take a propanolol it will go too slow I'm checking pulse every 2 mins which isn't helping I take 10mg 3 x a day does anyone have any advice? Thx
Hi,
I think you need to bear two things in mind...
1. A beta blocker will slow your heart rate because it damps down your fight/flight hormones. It also gives the heart an easier time and reduces it's demand for oxygen.
2.Even if your heart rate drops a lot, you're unlikely to suffer anything drastic. Beta blockers have been around for many years and Propanolol is a 'kind' one.
Checking your pulse occasionally is sensible and won't harm you. I know that on half - beta prograne (Propanolol - based slow release B Blocker) mine varies between 46 and 50bpm.
So, checked it out and I know how it feels/should feel. I stopped obsessing about it weeks ago.
Oh mine has never went that low the lowest mine has ever been is 58 but since that night I have worried ever since
This might reassure you then!
I don't know your age or state of health but consider this. A 'normal' human heart rate is 60 to 100bpm. Ultra-fit athletes can easily have a resting rate of 46.
But I'm 61 ( today) and have a leaky mitral valve and have smoked for 45 years. I was put on B blockers as part of the treatment for chronic anxiety.
This last point means I've been obsessive about heart things for four decades...all it's ever done is make things worse. Never forget that you're designed to survive.
Thx for advice day I took 10mg 2 hours ago and my pulse is 64 I need to stop worrying lol
I'm so scared to take propranolol because my bp is low. It's usually around 95/75
Hi tonia,
You're seeking reassurance and, when I need to do the same, I work on the old principle that knowledge is power. So, I took a look at NHS Choices, which you'll find here...
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-pressure-%28low%29/Pages/Causes.aspx
According to this - and I quote, 'Normal blood pressure is between 90/60 and 140/90.' Now, 'normal' is a very grey area. It could be you habitually have low blood pressure but that isn't necessarily abnormal.
Also, remember that many factors change BP. I just checked on my machine. Over the past week or so, I've recorded systolic pressures from 178 to 112. I'm on a the long-release version of propanolol; the dose is consistent and it's been the same hardware (the machine and me) all along. I think this proves my point.
I suppose you may have mild hypotension (the opposite of hypertension or high BP). There are lots of things that can cause this but you may just have low BP anyway and this is no bad thing.
I think the first thing you need to do is to trust your doctor. I'm not medically qualified but I used to work with medical personnel every day for two years - I was the photographer/illustrator at a medical school.
Assuming it's a GP whose prescribed your propanolol, he or she will have five years' training under their belt at the very least. Having seen medical students at work in many different circumstances, I can say with certainty, studying medicine was no walk in the park.
Just like anyone else, doctors can make mistakes. However, I assume your doctor knows all about your BP figures - he or she would definitely take them into account.
It'd be interesting to look into just how much of the drug you've been prescribed - you can compare with other people on here as well as check out prescribing information on the web. However, it's worth noting that dosages vary hugely depending on a wide range of factors, including the reason for prescribing the drug.
Lastly, whenever I start on a new drug, I always remember one thing. Often, the side effects happen considerably faster than the desired effect - time is needed to become accustomed to the new drug.
I think that if you're really scared and haven't taken a beta blocker before, there'd be no harm in checking with your doctor. I've done this in telephone consultations before - they take up very little of the doctor's time and save your having to visit.
So, best of luck and please update if you want to.
I am on 120mg ER bid (240/day) and have always had a heart rate that was in the 50s to at most 60 before propanalol. I have been on this dose for years for migraines and blood pressure and my typical resting heart rate ranges from the low 40s to the low 50s. During the night, it will usually run in the upper 30s to at most the low 40s.
I don't have any issues with irregular heartbeat, dizziness, etc. I exercise regularly now (which I wasn't doing previously) and suspect my natural heart rate would be in the upper 40s to low or mid 50s nowadays were I not on propanalol. Either way, I have never found the rate to be an issue. I'm currently age 47.
Hope this helps allay any concerns.
I'll add that my BP is generally around 120/80 or a tad bit lower. Before propanalol and exercise, it would run 130/90 to 140/90.
I have horrible and constant skipping heart beats. It terrifies me and every day I feel like I will die. I have been to the ER many times becuase of this. One doc recently prescribed beta blockers (at the emerg hospital). However, of course I go an research these pills on the internet and find all kinds of horrible side effects. But my symptoms are horrible too...so, go figure...anyway, I still haven't taken the meds but I am close to trying them. My biggest concern, is that my resting heart rate is 60 bmp. I am scared to take the med and then find out my heart rate will be scarily slow....I'm a mess with all this. I am 61 in June, female, could stand to lose 20 lbs (which I am now working on). I can't even go to the gym becuase as soon as I start lifting weights, the palpitations and skipping beats terrify me! I heard that you gain weight on these drugs because your metabolism slows down...and once you start, you can't stop. I read about ablations and that is not going to happen since it actually kills part of your heart where they do the ablations...OMG...this is horrible. I'm trying to read right now and all I do is feel my pulse and add more freak out onto the already exsiting freak out....so scared...
Wow...is a heart rate in the 30's or 40's okay?
What does your heart rate go up to when you exercise?
Why did you start this med? Thank you!