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What Causes Increased Heart Rate While On Metoprolol?
Question: I have been having problems with my heart rate increasing for no reason. It has been as high as 112. My BP is usually normal. I am a 62 year old female. I do have fibromyalgia. My PCP did have me wear a heart monitor for 24 hours and he said my heart is fine. But I am still concerned because it seems to be happening more often. My PCP did prescribe Metoprolol ER (SUCC) 50 mg; I tablet daily, however, when I take it daily it make my BP drop too low, so I just take it as needed. I go to a Rheumatologist for my fibromyalgia; she has suggested I wear a heart monitor for 30 days. Can you help me with this. I need some advice as to what to do. I have an appt. with my Rheumatologist 8/15, which is Monday.
Brief Answer:
Episode monitor
Detailed Answer:
Greetings and welcome to HCM. I carefully read your query.
This seems to be a classic case of anxiety-induced elevated heart rate. Once a person thinks something is going wrong, organism flushes significant amounts of Adrenalin in the circulation which, among others, increases the heart rate.
I think metoprolol was a good choice and I think you should not take at it as it feels, since it acts by plateau levels. My recommendation is to divide it into two halves and take it once in the morning and once in the evening, so it does not exert significant drop in blood pressure figures. The heart rate monitor is usually recommended in cases of a suspected arrhythmia. I would not recommend it in your case.
However, since the 24-hour Holter monitor did not reveal anything and yet you are concerned about these "spikes" of heart rate, then it is recommended to wear an episode monitor. It is basically the same as the 24-hour monitor, only that you have a manual on/off switch to record what is happening with your heart rate, whenever you feel that there is something "out of the ordinary" going on.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up question(s).
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Episode monitor
Detailed Answer:
Greetings and welcome to HCM. I carefully read your query.
This seems to be a classic case of anxiety-induced elevated heart rate. Once a person thinks something is going wrong, organism flushes significant amounts of Adrenalin in the circulation which, among others, increases the heart rate.
I think metoprolol was a good choice and I think you should not take at it as it feels, since it acts by plateau levels. My recommendation is to divide it into two halves and take it once in the morning and once in the evening, so it does not exert significant drop in blood pressure figures. The heart rate monitor is usually recommended in cases of a suspected arrhythmia. I would not recommend it in your case.
However, since the 24-hour Holter monitor did not reveal anything and yet you are concerned about these "spikes" of heart rate, then it is recommended to wear an episode monitor. It is basically the same as the 24-hour monitor, only that you have a manual on/off switch to record what is happening with your heart rate, whenever you feel that there is something "out of the ordinary" going on.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up question(s).
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I'm sorry I haven't responded. I've been busy. I do appreciate the information you sent me. I will talk to my Dr. on Monday and see if she still thinks I should wear the monitor for 30 days. I did take your advice and I am taking my medication one half pill in the morning and one half at night. Do you think I have arrhythmia?
Brief Answer:
No, I do not think it is arrhythmia
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and welcome back.
I do not think it is arrhythmia, it is merely anxiety-induced sinus tachycardia. However, the monitor should be worn, so we can be sure about what we are dealing with.
I hope my follow-up helped. If you do not have further questions, close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
No, I do not think it is arrhythmia
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and welcome back.
I do not think it is arrhythmia, it is merely anxiety-induced sinus tachycardia. However, the monitor should be worn, so we can be sure about what we are dealing with.
I hope my follow-up helped. If you do not have further questions, close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
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