I have relatively high incidents of heart issues within my immediate family. I'm 46y/o male, in excellent health. I eat good. I exercise a lot. Non smoker. Occasional beer drinker, sometimes wine.

My wife insisted I get my cholesterol and tri-glycerides checked last year. I did, and they were pretty high, but more of a concern was my resting heart rate and blood pressure. Both BP and HR were above normal. I also have a much higher risk of heart attack and stroke then "normal" people my age, and genetic factors don't help.

They prescribed me Lipitor to try to knock down my cholesterol and triglyceride levels. I took it for about 3 weeks, and stopped due to side effects. Confusion, fatique, muscle pain. My doc told me to stop taking it for 2 weeks, then take one pill every other day. I never started doing that again.

About 2 weeks ago, I started developing "tightness" in my chest. No pain. I did have a few dizzy spells. I never felt exhausted or out of breath. Last monday, my son and I were going to go work out about 4:30 am. He didn't wake up in time, so I let the dog out, and sat on the couch. I just didn't feel right, so I figured I better check it out. I drove myself to the ER. They did a blood panel, EKG, heart xray, and I had to do a stress test in front of a cardio team. They confirmed my heart is in excellent shape, and that took a lot of my mind. I did have a family member suffer a massive heart attack at 35y/o and 2 friends my age who both have had heart attacks, one of which also led to a brain stem stroke.

I met with my primary care doc 2 days after my ER visit, and he put me on Propanolol. 40mg, but I take 1/2 a pill twice a day. So far no issues. One of the side effects is it lowers anxiety, which is fine by my, I am a Type A person, and feel I need 28hrs in a day to get everything done. And I don't know how to relax, it drives my wife crazy. Even after getting home from the ER, I was doing chores around the house.

Anyone else take it? Any side effect concerns? My doc said it has been around forever, is relatively cheap, and it is easy to "dial in" my dosage over time.

re the Cholesterol,

my doc put me on the lowest level of the lowest statin he could,
he said I was trending toward high cholesterol (borderline or just above 3 yrs in a row, and triglycerides were high,,)

after a year I was in daily pain, basically felt like my hips and legs were sore all day, esp at night,

stopped taking them, lost a few pounds, and started taking red rice yeast and fish oil , daily,

cholesterol is fine now,


can't help on the rest, but wish you well

I’ve been taking propranolol for a long time. It is used in my case to reduce the occurrence of migraines. Which it does.

Your 40mg is a very small dosage. I take 80mg twice a day, which is still a small dosage compared to normal, but I could be wrong.

Side effects can vary but what I experience is reduced energy levels.

At much higher doses it can give you a limp dick, in which case you can change to a different and newer BP.

At 40mg I wouldn’t worry about it, but I’m not a doctor or pharmacist so that’s just an internet opinion.

I don't know that drug. I am taking Crestor®, aka Rosuvastatin, to avoid conflicts with other medications, apparently. It appears to work. I have other medications to work on the triglycerides--I think that's what my Zetia® is for, and maybe the Niaspan® (slow-release Niacin). The doc has me an a lot of things that I really don't know exactly what they're for (I've been told, of course, but I don't remember). My medicine chest looks like a drugstore.

flashguy

Without knowing exactly what your BP and HR were, it's hard to say anything useful. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably do two things:

1. Get a digital BP monitor and check your BP/HR first thing in the morning for a week or two and look at the averages. Normal resting HR is 60-100. BP is where things get flaky. Used to be 90/60 to 140/90 was normal range with 'best' at 120/80. The powers that be dropped the upper range to 130/80, but there's been some pushback on that.

2. Get tested for familial hypercholesterolemia before you make any final decisions on your cholesterol and triglycerides. Suffice it to say the issue of cholesterol and its relation to heart disease has come under serious question in recent years. Check out all the research before you decide whether or not to get back on a statin.

Given your self-description, I'd guess that your HR and BP are lifestyle driven more than anything else. There are ways to address high numbers outside of or in addition to drugs. Totally up to you as to whether that's a route you want to take.

I read that it may help for intentional tremors.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ftttu,

I take it to stop panic attacks when public speaking. It works great and no noticeable side effects. But that is only occasional use. I do know if you take it for no then you can’t just stop. You need to be weaned off.

I did buy a home blood pressure kit, I just need to start using it. My doctor gave me crap about that as well.

I go back in a month, so I’ll stick to the routine and see what happens.

When taking your blood pressure it is advisable to sit down for 5 minutes before taking it. Also make sure both your feet are on the floor and the blood pressure cuff is at heart level. If you have eaten give it 30 minutes before taking the reading.

Try the red rice yeast, or is it red yeast rice? As previously mentioned, it really does work at lowering cholesterol.

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:
When taking your blood pressure it is advisable to sit down for 5 minutes before taking it. Also make sure both your feet are on the floor and the blood pressure cuff is at heart level. If you have eaten give it 30 minutes before taking the reading.

I just got a new blood pressure cuff in July and they recommended 15 minutes. Everything else matches what you said.

If you want a real medical second opinion, ask for your primary for a referral to a cardiologist. This is the only way to get specialized advice that is tailored to your individual condition.

Heart Disease is quite common in my family line. So common that when my sister got into genealogy she found that not one single male in my paternal line going back to the late 1600's has not lived to see 80 years of age. Closer to my current generation I've lost my paternal grandfather at age 63, my father at age 79, and my older brother at age 59.

BTW, my brother was a life long runner who ignored fatigue issues and didn't report them to his doctor. BTW, while being fit wont protect everyone from heart disease it will speed recovery after open heart surgery.

Note, I had a triple bypass and Mitral Valve repair on October 9, 2018. The Friday before my surgery went out for a morning jog and my VO2 Max score for that run was 40. Actually a bit stunning for someone with 3 blocked arteries, a bum Mitral Valve, and COPD. Yeah, I was a smoker for 37 years but quit in 2012. Also started exercising seriously in 2015.

Last March I had issues with Tachycardia, a rapid heart beat without any triggers to cause that. Spent all summer getting a large variety of tests. Note, a Heart Cath is a cake walk if you have "good veins" and a TEE (Trans Esophageal Echocardiogram) absolutely sucks. BTW, after a TEE you will find difficulty peeing for about 30 hours and you'll have difficulty swallowing for about 48-60 hours. Suggest you ask for Flowmax before a TEE and plan on a liquid diet for at least 2 days after the test.

I would also suggest that you ask for a Heart Catheterzation because it is the ONLY definitive test for checking the heart for blockages. It's also excellent for diagnosing the severity of Mitral Valve problems because during a Heart Cath they can also check the Pulmonary Blood Pressure.

Regarding Statins they not only reduce the Bad Chloresterol (LDL) but also reduce the good chloresterol (HDL). At my physical for 2017 my HDL tested at 57, after heart surgery and treatment with Statins my HDL is testing at a rather miserable 32.

So, what's the point. First, if you are genetically set up for Heart Disease exercise wont protect you. Anyone thinking about disagreeing with that statement really needs to do a Wiki search for Jim Fix. What will protect you is getting the appropriate tests and the correct treatment for your condition.

What exercise will help with is with your recovery from any heart surgery. Due to my strength and condition prior to surgery I was able to recover quickly enough to be back at work 3 weeks after surgery. I was also able to return to exercising on a treadmill at week 4. Note, I was specifically told to continue exercising prior to my surgery but to moderate my heart rate to keep that exercise in the Aerobic Zone, basically in the range of 105 to 120. Point is moderate exercise will help someone with heart disease but high intensity exercise can lead to a Heart Attack. So you have no excuses at all for not going out for a daily 2 or 3 mile walk. You can even jog if you slow down for a walk anytime you heart rate gets too high.

Sum it all up and you want to report ANY symptom to your doctor, even if you feel as if you are being a PITA Pest. Something as simple as an occasional dry coughing fit can be a significant symptom. BTW, that particular symptom is one of the symptoms for Pulmonary Hypertension.

PS: I am a habitual user of a Garmin Chest type Heart Rate Monitor and can endorse that type of monitor strongly. However I will tell you that wrist type optical HR Monitors are basically JUNK. Optical monitors can't detect the heart rate during episodes of Atrial Fibrulation or exercise with many individuals. About the ONLY time I've found Optical HR monitors to be somewhat accurate is when you are sitting still.