Heart Rate and Med Limitations

Posted by mmicahk @mmicahk, Aug 13 10:30am

I was originally started on Metoprolol back in November. My dose was reduced to 12.5mg once daily because of fatigue. I went to a new cardiologist and was switched to Verapamil 120mg. I was originally told that if I could tolerate it, the dose would be increased and then we'd have room to add another medication, but heart rate and blood pressure dependent. I sent my numbers from my morning and night BP readings and it looks like my heart rate is too low to increase dosage. I'm at 42bpm in the morning, usually around 50-55 during the day at rest, with activity and movement it goes up.

I was told that due to this, my next step, if my symptoms persist and increase is myectomy. I'm not in a position currently of major lifestyle limitations, but have definitely felt my energy and daily capacity of exercise decrease. I have time to make a decision on this.

Has anyone else had similar scenarios where their heart rate is so low at rest that they can't push the dosage up and are left with only surgical option?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Support Group.

brumasterj | @brumasterj | Aug 17 8:44pm

Are you being seen by COE?

I would highly recommend

mmicahk | @mmicahk | Aug 17 9:18pm

In reply to @brumasterj "Are you being seen by COE? I would highly recommend" + (show)

I am being seen by a cardiologist that came from a COE, Stanford, and was suggested by Stanford since he's in my health plan, also organized by HCMA for me. I will ultimately need to switch plans at some point (out of Kaiser) to be seen at a COE since they have declined my requests.