Lopressor...Side Effects? New med for me

[vhmoriarty]

I have aortic valve stenosis and will be having the Ross Procedure done on Nov. 13th.

I have never been on any heart medicine at all.

My doctor put me on Lopressor yesterday 12.5 twice daily. He told me if I noticed any side effects to call him.

Well this morning I took my first dose of 12.5. After I took it I felt a little more energitic but I was just around my house cleaning. I then went out to the store and felt like I could just lay down right there and take a nap. I have felt this way even after I got home. I took my BP twice at the store. It was 102/68 and pulse was 62. Second time was 86/32 pulse was 60.

Now normally my BP has never been the issue, he only wanted to start it so that my heart wouldnt have to pump as hard. My normal range is 112/62 but pulse around 98-110.

I have never felt this way and was wondering if it is normal? Should I give it another day?

 

[catwoman]

Valerie:

If you haven't had BP problems and aren't now, I don't understand the need for a BP med pre-op.

My BP several weeks pre-op was 140/90 -- due to the deteriorating valve. My cardio didn't put me on any BP meds. I did take something for 30 days post-op; don't remember what it was and it was changed about 7-10 days post-op. My BP is now normal.
John didn't have to take anything after his MV repair, but he was already on an Rx for prostate problems that lowers the BP. His BP has always been pretty low anyways.

 

[hensylee]

well, it has slowed down your heart and maybe that was the only intention of the dr. bp meds often make us sleepy to begin with but your body gets accustomed to that. if you feel dizzy or faint, you might check in w/your dr. you may be taken off it after the surgery if your heart rate goes down. best wishes

 

[vhmoriarty]

This is only a medicine I will be on for the next 30 days. I think the intention was to lower my heart rate and to just make it not have such much of a strain on my heart. Im going to take tonights dose and maybe the AM dose and see how it does. If I feel the same way tmw Im calling them. I feel like a mack truck has hit me. Granted I was tired before and got short of breath but not the I NEED TO LAY DOWN RIGHT HERE AND PASS OUT tiredness.

 

[catwoman]

Valerie:

Most surgeons or cardios do put patients on BP meds for 30 days post-op, to reduce pressures to allow the heart to heal.

Pre-op, I did have the "I'm going to lay down right now and pass out" feeling -- and I was not on BP meds. When we went out to eat, I had to fight to stay awake... That was from the severe fatigue. Can't imagine how I would have felt had BP meds been thrown into the mix!!!!!!!!!

 

[TenPly]

I took it (25mg) after my surgery. It's not just a BP medication, it's also a beta-blocker, which basically just makes your heart relax so it doesn't beat so hard. From what I understand, it's supposed to improve the heart's pumping efficiency over time.

Make sure you take it with food -- like enough food, not just a light snack, because it can make you dizzy otherwise. Haven't really had any notable tiredness though, but as with all medications, it affects each person a little differently.