Cardiologist question

carol422 · October 19, 2007

:help:My LB surgery will not be til maybe April next year. I had my consult with the cardiologist and he wants me to take a beta blocker for a month before and after surgery. I already take bp medicine. Has anyone else had to take a beta blocker? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks

Serena · October 20, 2007

I had to take a beta blocker because the stress test I took the Friday before my Monday surgery showed some abnormalities and there wasn't enough time for me to schedule a Nuclear Scan before surgery. The cardiologist said that I could go ahead with the surgery if I began taking beta blockers.

It turns out that my heart was fine but I loved the beta blocker!! My anxiety about the surgery disappeared and I felt so happy! People who have to do public speaking often take a beta blocker the day of their presentations because it relaxes you but keeps your mind sharp.

They made my mood so much better that my PCP said that I could keep taking them indefinitely. Since I've lost weight they were making me slightly light-headed from low bp so I recently discontinued them.

carol422 · October 20, 2007

Hi Serena,

Thanks for the info. The cardio guy never said I had a problem. When they took my blood pressure it was a little high. This was my second visit to a Dr. that same day. So I wonder if that is why he said to take the beta blocker. He never gave me a reason. I thought I would question it when I went back to get the prescription. Thanks again!