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About 13% of all seniors ARE on metoprolol (just a guess). They are taking it for arrythmia or just for 'incipient' hypertension that could stand a reduction but not with conventional hypertensive medicines.
https://elderlyguides.com/metoprolol-side-effects-elderly/
There is a good study dating back to 2008 that found that it is not considered to be great medicine to prescribe metoprolol to seniors unless there is a strong and compelling reason like ischemia or heart failure. Even so, I was a senior presenting with atrial fibrillation and was immediately prescribed metoprolol because, without any further diagnostics to check, my cardiologist feared it was ischemia. I am male and was older than 64 at the time, so a high risk for ischemia. Turns out I have no ischemia, but I remained on metoprolol for seven years before an ablation procedure stemmed the onset of AF.
Replies to "About 13% of all seniors ARE on metoprolol (just a guess). They are taking it for..."
@gloaming Was prescribed it when I had my first 2 minute bout of Afib 5 years ago when I was 74. This was prescribed by my cardiologist and after taking it for 3 days and reading about potential side effects I called his office and told him I had no desire to continue to take the drug. Went into the office a few days later and discussed it with him and he agreed with my thoughts on it and never went into my mouth again.
It may serve a purpose for some but it requires a bit of though about taking it and depending on age and length of time on it, some serious discussion about it.
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@gloaming. I Just weaned off Metoprolol and feel quite a bit better. Don't feel so washed out since quitting. I'm still on Amlodipine and Losartan but my BP is still holding below 120/80 with a resting PR of 65-70. I've been on this metoprolol beta-blocker for years and am not sure I ever did need it. I started taking magnesium glycinate about 5-6 months ago and my heart palpitations have diminished considerably.