Question:
I have a fast heart and have been on toprolfor about a year.

My heart used to beat about 120 bpm and now it has slowed to about 90 bpm. My cardiologist says the toprol should have slowed to to about 60bpm. Anyone else on this medicine and what results did you get from it? I am alittle scared that this may delay my surgery. Thanks all. Claire    — gramof3 (posted on October 15, 2003)

October 15, 2003
Toprol also helps lower B/P. I was on it from 1995 until a about a month after WLS. My resting heart rate used to be aobut 100, and now it is about 68. since surgery , I have been exercising. That, and the weight loss, have caused my B/P and pulse rate to go down, I doubt that your heart rate will casue a delay in surgery. Most people are anxious at the time they see a doctor or anticipate surgery, so naturally your pulse rate will go up. Also, as MO people, our hearts have to beat faster to circulate through all the blood vessels we have developed to nourish our fat, so our pulse is going to be faster, even with the Toprol.
   — koogy

October 17, 2003
Is toprol a beta blocker? I'm on a different one, to treat high BP and cardiac arrythmia. Since losing weight I've lowered the dosage, gotten rid of other BP medications, and my heart rate has gone down from regularly being about 80 bpm on medication to often being in the high 40's. Exercise definitely makes a difference: I've fallen off the wagon in the last 2-3 weeks and noticed that my heart rate went up to around 60, a sign to me I definitely need to get back to my cardio workouts. Your surgeon may want to talk to your cardiologist, but I'd be surprised if they denied you surgery because of this. You can probably assure both doctors that weight loss and the ability to exercise more will make your medication work more effectively.
   — Celia A.