High blood pressure and heart rate.

I had a pacemaker installed on December 14, 2009 because my heart was missing beats particularly during heavy exertion. I am having problems adjusting. I hope someone can help.

Prior to my pacemaker my blood pressure was moderately high 145/90 and my heart rate was about 50. I had a heart attach in 2007 so I was put on Metoprolol which lowered my heart rate as well as blood pressure meds. Prior to my heart attach I had problems with a racing heart. I felt like I was wound up like a spring much of the time. I was quite relieved when the Metoprolol fixed that problem.

After my pacemaker was installed my blood pressure has risen to very high levels and my pulse rate is at 90 where it used to be 50. Once again I feel wound up like that spring. I have gone to the hospital on a couple of occasions concerned about the high blood pressure levels. They have increased the Metoprolol a bit and added a durietic to lower the blood pressure but it does not seem to be working very well.

Can anyone explain this to me or suggest something?

Thanks, DArcy.

1 Comments

Beta Blockers

by Pookie - 2010-01-04 04:01:54

Hi Darcy,

here is a post that I saved because it really helped me understand beta blockers....

Beta Blockers
Posted by Nim Rod on 2008-03-31 13:42

I keep seeing people ask quesitons about beta blockers. Maybe the following will answer a question or two.

by Jill Ferguson, PhD

Negative inotropic drugs - beta blockers - lessen the heart's workload by decreasing the rate and the strength of the heartbeat. These effects decrease the amount of blood that the heart pumps, the blood pressure in the vessels and the amount of oxygen that the heart uses. The action of these drugs also leads to a decrease in the electrical activity in the heart.

The effects of these drugs make them very suitable for treating high blood pressure, angina (chest pain caused by heart disease) and heart attacks. Their effects on electrical activity make them useful for the treatment of some types of arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm). Some of these drugs are used in the treatment of heart failure.

Negative inotropic drugs can be divided into three classes based on how they work:

Beta-blockers are usually used for treating high blood pressure, angina, arrhymias, and heart attack.
Calcium-channel blockers are used for treating high blood pressure, angina, and arrhythmias.
Centrally acting sympatholytics are used for treating high blood pressure.

Side Effects of Beta-Blockers

Some of the common side effects of beta-blockers are:
Drowsiness or fatigue
Cold hands and feet
Weakness or dizziness
Dry mouth, eyes and skin

Less common side effects include:

Wheezing, trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Slow heartbeat
Trouble sleeping or vivid dreams while asleep
Swelling of the hands and feet


Hope this helps? And thanks to Nim Rod for posting it!
Pookie

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