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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on May 31, 2010, at 21:40:04
My pdoc won't increase my propranolol until she gets my EKG, heart rate and blood pressure.
I just got the EKG today so I don't know about the results, but I did go to the pharmacy to get my blood pressure and heart rate.
It seems my blood pressure is on the lower side of normal. My systolic readings go from a high of 112 to a low of 91, average is 103.5.
My diastolic readings go from a high of 73 to a low of 58, average is 66.6.
My heart rate goes from a high of 93 to a low of 61. Average is 77.
Based on this information, is my pdoc likely to increase my propranolol?
I read that propranolol doesn't lower already low blood pressure, so I don't see what the big deal is.
Posted by Phillipa on May 31, 2010, at 23:58:20
In reply to Is it OK to increase propranolol?, posted by Deneb on May 31, 2010, at 21:40:04
I don't think he will lower it . Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2010, at 0:09:44
In reply to Re: Is it OK to increase propranolol? » Deneb, posted by Phillipa on May 31, 2010, at 23:58:20
My pdoc doesn't want to lower it, she wants to increase it. Do you mean that you don't think she will increase it?
Posted by chujoe on June 1, 2010, at 6:38:12
In reply to Re: Is it OK to increase propranolol?, posted by Deneb on June 1, 2010, at 0:09:44
Those are very good bp figures -- if the concern is blood pressure, there isn't any reason to worry about those numbers. Assuming your EKG is normal I bet your pdoc will be willing to increase, but that's just my amateur opinion of course.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on June 1, 2010, at 13:52:58
In reply to Is it OK to increase propranolol?, posted by Deneb on May 31, 2010, at 21:40:04
>It seems my blood pressure is on the lower side of normal.
Yeah, your readings are somewhat lower than average but it's not uncommon for young people to have relatively low BP (unless they are overweight). I wouldn't be concerned about your BP unless you're experiencing dizziness, weakness or fainting.
Propranolol tends to lower normal BP slightly but not (usually) dramatically. If someone was fluid or salt depleted, it could cause a much greater drop.
Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2010, at 17:33:35
In reply to Re: Is it OK to increase propranolol? » Deneb, posted by ed_uk2010 on June 1, 2010, at 13:52:58
That's interesting Ed, because I am overweight, not by a lot, but by about 5 pounds. I want to lose weight. I wonder if my BP will be even lower if I lose weight?
I hope pdoc agrees and says it will be OK to increase the propranolol.
Sometimes I experience near fainting. I think it is orthostatic hypotension.
Posted by Phillipa on June 1, 2010, at 19:35:53
In reply to Re: Is it OK to increase propranolol?, posted by Deneb on June 1, 2010, at 17:33:35
Deneb the fainting is why I didn't think he'd increase. Did you see the doc and did he? Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2010, at 20:26:53
In reply to Re: Is it OK to increase propranolol? » Deneb, posted by Phillipa on June 1, 2010, at 19:35:53
Well, I've never actually fainted, only come really close. The most severe times were with exercise. I think they happen when I exercise really hard then slow down.
I'd lose my vision for a while, feel nauseous and my hearing would sound muffled.
Posted by Phillipa on June 1, 2010, at 21:30:53
In reply to Re: Is it OK to increase propranolol?, posted by Deneb on June 1, 2010, at 20:26:53
Slow pulse? As I once took lopressor for same reason and I'd be on a treadmill and pulse would remain low no matter how hard I worked. Strange. Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on June 2, 2010, at 7:10:14
In reply to Re: Is it OK to increase propranolol? » Deneb, posted by Phillipa on June 1, 2010, at 21:30:53
I don't know for sure what causes my presyncope. I'm assuming it is orthostatic hypotension, but I could be wrong.
Might be some kind of neurocardiogenic thing, don't know.
My GP isn't concerned so it must not be serious.
Posted by Dan_MI on June 2, 2010, at 12:16:20
In reply to Is it OK to increase propranolol?, posted by Deneb on May 31, 2010, at 21:40:04
> My pdoc won't increase my propranolol until she gets my EKG, heart rate and blood pressure.
>
From what I understand, the problem would be a low heart-rate.I take it for test anxiety, and last night I had it in my system when I went swimming. At first I ended up with considerably more water up my nose than usual, but after about 15 minutes I was warmed up and on top of my game.
So maybe the orthostatic hypertension just needs to do its thing for a little while, and your body will warm up?
My pdoc says it's a very good drug, and it's cheap, so I hope you'll be able to take advantage of it.
Posted by Deneb on June 4, 2010, at 18:14:16
In reply to Re: Is it OK to increase propranolol?, posted by Dan_MI on June 2, 2010, at 12:16:20
I'm pretty sure I have the opposite of a low heart rate. It's not unusual for my heart rate to be in the 90's.
I hope pdoc decides to increase the propranolol.
I really like propranolol too.
It calms me down, helps my tremors and helps my stress.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on June 7, 2010, at 14:37:43
In reply to Re: Is it OK to increase propranolol?, posted by Deneb on June 4, 2010, at 18:14:16
Propranolol can reduce BP but it doesn't generally cause orthostatic hypotension. Orthostasis is often caused by dehydration or by certain drugs eg. alpha blockers and diuretics.
Try to get up slowly if you've been sitting or lying down and hold onto something.
This is the end of the thread.
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