Too Young Posted November 23, 2004 Report Share Posted November 23, 2004 Hello again. I am sorry that I have not participated since my recent joining on this site. I have read many of your questions and answers and find them invaluable. I was wondering if beta blockers help get rid of shortness of breath or if they just help your heart rate. I hope that everyone is doing well. Thanks for all of your help. I am so glad that I found this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted November 23, 2004 Report Share Posted November 23, 2004 HiI don't believe that beta blockers would affect shortness of breath. I have not found that to be the case. Beta blockers help by blocking the effect of adrenaline on your cardiovascular system and other systems as well. You may feel short of breath due to hypovolemia (low blood volume). Try to increase your fluids and salt and see if that helps.Katherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briarrose Posted November 23, 2004 Report Share Posted November 23, 2004 Beta Blockers are to help control your heart rate they don't help with SOB, in fact they could possibly make it worse if you are trying to exert yourself with beta blockers on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouse Posted November 23, 2004 Report Share Posted November 23, 2004 Correct. beta blockers are for heart rate, not shortness of breath--as an asthmatic, I cannot take betablocker because they can make my breathing problems worse.Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted November 23, 2004 Report Share Posted November 23, 2004 Hi NinaI am a little confused--why would a betablocker make breathing more difficult for an asthmatic--or for anyone?Thanks, Katherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briarrose Posted November 23, 2004 Report Share Posted November 23, 2004 Beta blockers can cause constriction of bronchioles, causing more problems for asthmatics or people with lung disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogini Posted November 23, 2004 Report Share Posted November 23, 2004 Do you know what your HR is like when you're getting the SOB symptoms? I had SOB when I first got POTS. I had trouble even talking or holding my head I think the reason for me was that my heart was working too hard to pump oxygen thought my body. For me, I think the beta blocker, salt, etc. have helped the SOB by slowing my heart down. I had some pretty bad symptoms from the beta blocker for the first week or so (including SOB), but they went away. I think it depends on the person, and maybe your dr can help you figure out whether a BB would help you.Rita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1970 Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 I am on toprol 100mg a day (3wks now) and I am experiencing a lot of shortness of breath. I have a slow heart rate (40-60) and it actually stops when I pass out. I don't have tachycardia at all. They said that beta blockers would keep my heart rate regulated. I am not sure if the toprol is helping or not. I am really confused about what if anything works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan617 Posted December 30, 2004 Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 Beta blockers made my shortness of breath worse too. In fact I woke up at night all the time feeling air starved. Couldn't tolerate them, but then I don't tolerate much of anything. morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merrill Posted December 30, 2004 Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 Hi, John. I'm confused. What was your heart rate like before you started the beta blockers? Were you tachycardic? If you're passing out, it seems to me you wouldn't want to slow your heart rate (which is what bb are typically prescribed for--that and also as you say to regulate the heart rate for people with or without POTS who have palpitations etc). You'd want to increase your blood pressure through a variety of means--options include medicines (e.g., florinef) and also significantly increased salt and fluid intake.What's up? (And were you diagnosed with Pots or NCS or another form of dysautonomia?)Take care,merrillPS I just saw your other post (sorry bout that) -- and maybe this is the wrong place to say this, but "ditto" everything Morgan wrote there! If you're new to all this, may I say I'm sorry you've had to join us but glad too that you've found a Web site that has a lot to offer in terms of information about your condition and possible treatments to help your symptoms, allowing you a return to full functioning and hopefully a return to work in the near future. Many of us share your diagnosis--and get along OK much of the time, most of the time, or even all of the time. (That's the thing, though--it can take some time to find the right balance of lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and medical interventions that work right for you.) Keep reading, keep researching, and keep asking questions--of the forum regulars and of your doctors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friday Posted January 2, 2005 Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 Well, I don't know if it directly affects it, but I do know that I get more out of breath, when my heart rate is higher. I have also noticed SOB seems to get wrorse when I am very tired, not matter what the heart rate.Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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