My Dad has low heart rate (57 per min non-resting) but high ...

My Dad has low heart rate (57 per min non-resting) but high blood pressure (over 143/80). How to treat this problem? He is on betaloc, which reduces blood pressure but also slows the heart rate. I read that people have slow heart rates should not take beta-block. But how could he reduce his blood pressure?

There are other types of high blood pressure medications, such as ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) like Altace, and ARB (Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker) like Mycardis.

57 is not a particularly low blood pressure when taking beta blockers, even when not resting. When on a higher dose of beta blockers earlier, I would have a very hard time breaking a pulse rate of 60 bpm. The major problem with that was tiredness. I functioned fine during the day, but after being up and about for about 12 hours, I'd be wiped out and have to lie down ... not necessarily to sleep, but definitely to slow down before sleep.

Talk with your father's doctor and find out how concerned he is about this blood pressure. 143/80 obviously could be better, but at the same time, the doctor may be satisfied that it's OK given, for example, his cholesterol levels.

Hi Stuart,

Many thanks for your reply to my question. It is much appreciated.

My father’s problem is daily episodes of irregular heartbeats with frequent missing beats and premature beats. It is so bad that he could not sit still and sleep well. He finds if he stands up and moves around, it will not be noticed. His doctor did not give him any mediation for that and said it is not harmful. But if it affects his sleep and rest, I feel it is a problem that needs to be solved.

Wish to hear your comments on this.

Many thanks

Liping

Sounds like the doctor believes this to be palpitations ... or the sense of an irregular beat rather than a true irregular beat. Were it a genuine irregular beat, they'd probably be looking at a pacemaker.

If you're not happy with his treatment, perhaps you should seek out a second opinion?