Cards and EPs

[901]

I went to see my Card today for the first time since he did a Cath last May. After my AVR & MVR in June my HR was 50-55. I was diagnosed with Heart Block and the pacer was installed. Immediately, my HR went to around 90. I've asked the EP Doc several times about the high rate and was told that 60-100 is normal resting HR. The EP told me that if I wanted a lower HR, I needed to get in shape?!
Today, the Card says 90 is too high! He prescribed a Beta Blocker to slow it down. I've felt more energetic since the pacer was installed and now I'm concerned that taking a Beta Blocker will slow me down. :eek: :eek:
It seems to me that if the Card and the EP both work for the same organization, they could at least get together on their definitions of what a "normal" resting HR is.
I despise being a medical test monkey for determining optimum heart rates. Anyone have any experiences like this?

[Ross]

They do have a tendancy to make you feel like this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/Ross/1.gif

[Johnny Stephens]

It is frustrating at times, that you don't get a consistent story between specialties. The EP is more of a narrow specialist dealing with electrical activity in the heart, and his statement about "normal" is correct - as far as it goes. Cardiology is a more general discipline and is the appropriate one to be dealing with your heart rate and Beta Blockers as factors in your overall heart care.

You may find that you tolerate the Beta Blockers just fine..and they can actually make your heart more efficient by slowing it down.

[rbl1999]

Ross, that is way too funny!!!! That is probably how we all looked in ICU!!! Rose