Low resting heart rate (50's)

Hi! Great questions. I am on Metoprolol Succinate, too. Question....how long have you been taking it? I have been on it for 2 years. Had the same symptoms. However, with time, the side effects dissipated. My resting HR is in the low 50s. Sleeping HR goes in to 40s.

I'm thinking the medication will cause the fatigue and other symptoms. Especially if you haven't been on it for 6 months to a year. I speak with people who are athletes and they aim for their resting HR to be in the high 50s. Your sleeping HR is really good.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Unless the symptoms are interfering with your ability to function and daily life, I feel you're OK. Speaking from a long heart journey of medication games and tachy-brady syndrome I was diagnosed with. Took over 2 years to sort it out. Have had scares of when my HR dropped to the low 20s and increased to 150 when I was resting. Found out I had arrhythmia after open heart surgery. Ended up having ablation to fix arrhythmia. Doesn't sound like you have arrhythmia at all. You don't want a pacemaker unless absolutely necessary. Doesn't sound like you're a candidate for one.

Again.... how long have you been on the metoprolol? Also.... do you take it with food. The side effects of that beta blocker are a nightmare without food. It will tank your heart rate. Take with food if you're not already.

Hope this helps. Stay strong, heart warrior ❤️

Thanks for the info--interesting, I have been taking it for about 15 years, and they started me on flecanide because of the arrhythmia about 6 years ago, which took care of that. So the cardiologist says to take care of that issue I need to continue the 2 meds. He did say the metoprolol is what is causing the low resting heart rate.
And yes I do take with a meal.
Just the lack of energy is not my norm--maybe just age starting to hit me (78).
Thanks again--good info

Succinate is the short duration form, while tartrate is the 'slow release form'. Might you do better on the tartrate...assuming it is not contraindicated for a very good reason? Can you reduce the dosage?

A great many people, myself included, do develop moderate-severe bradycardia after a certain dose is achieved. Normally, the physician responsible will advise a reduction in the amount taken if this happens.

BTW, I always took metoprolol on an empty stomach. I can't say it affected me adversely until my daily intake exceeded 125 mg/day.

I thought mid to high 50's was normal, at least! If I relax in bed mine goes down to 55. I have low bp and cannot take beta blockers anyway! Can you reduce the dose? My friend tells me that it makes her tired.

I’ve had a lot of issues with low BP 80s/50s and resting heart rate as low as 44 due to cancer meds. Problems with weakness, dizziness, fatigue especially when first standing. Athletes having a very low heart rate is different than a non-athlete. My cardiologist told me he wants my HR at 60 minimum and BP at 100/60 minimum. Lower than those and my body is not getting enough oxygen. Before cancer meds my BP was 120/80 and HR 65-70 while taking low dose of atenolol ((beta blocker).

When my heart rate is low ( 60) and my Systolic BP is over 140 I take Amlodipine. If my HR is higher and my Systolic is below 140 I take Metoprolol.

Hi there! Just wanted to let you know that it's opposite.

Succinate is the slow release and the tartrate is the immediate release.

Thanks, you are correct. I appreciate your taking the time to post the correction.

Do you have PVCs, or any heart rhythm problems?
What doctors tell me a low pulse rate indicates good physical conditioning meaning your heart does not need to pump as much to circulate blood to your body. If this is not your case the lower pulse could cause side affects.

My resting pulse rate is 54. I do Sprint Triathlons and train for them 6 days a week. However I have PVCs and we (my EP and I) found raising (have ICD/Pacemaker) we programmed the resting pace to 70 to reduce PVCs.

Has anyone addressed your high systolic blood pressure of 140? That is above the norm of 120 something you should asked of your cardiologist. Usually dizziness is usually associated with low blood pressure but you have a low resting pulse rate but a high systolic BP.

Having a low pulse rate without being in excellent condition would also be something to explore with your cardiologist are you getting enough blood flow. And yes a pacemaker could be used speed up your pulse rate if needed.

I am just giving opinions based on me having an ICD/Pacemaker and being treated at Mayo cardiology and electrophysiology since 2006. I am not a medical doctor and the things mentioned to you are just things I would discuss with my medical doctors if I was you.

Even with my pacing to 70 if I stand up to quick I can get dizzy (not continuous). But I have heart failure (cardiomyopathy) which is not your case. My heart failure was caused by virus or infection in heart causing electrical scarring (LBB). My heart catherization showed no signs of cardiovascular disease but when I was diagnosed with LBB I had just recovered from a virus infection.

Good luck!

Different medications affect each of us differently. The normal resting pulse rate is 70 BPM.

When you pulse rate gets low (an you are not a athlete) it can cause some symptoms as well as blood pressure being too low.

When my weight goes down my BP gets very low 90/60 and have some dissiness when standing. My heart failure doctor really monitors this and if gets any lower suggested we spread the dosage of my medications apart from each other. Regretfully my weight went up and this was not a problem and is normal at 120/70 most of the time.

When I first went on Entresto and Enalapril (spell) I was really tired. But it improves over time and not an issue now. If taking a medication causes issues over a long term then talk to your cardiologist and see if a different type will help relief the tiredness. You can mention this to your friend. However have to give you body time to adjust to the medications.

I think we have to be outspoken when we are dealing with health problems and tell our medical providers of any problems and if there are any recommendation to make them better by trying something different.