My cardiologist started me on one yesterday. The mitral valve in my heart is slightly enlarged, which has been causing chest pain, hypertension, anxiety for years. She thought it'd be helpful for the pain and would lower my blood pressure. I guess the main thing is to keep tabs on your heartrate and blood pressure -- making sure it doesn't drop drastically.

I'm only a day in, but holy hell does my head hurt. I never get headaches except for when I lack caffeine, which is usually only a dull ache. But this has been awful. I'm considering taking some of my left over vicodin from a tonsillectomy I had done a few months ago.

Not bad for only 22 years old. The CNP of the doctor said my chances of having a heart attack from exercise was pretty low. Kinda caught me by surprise. First time anyone's ever mentioned heart attack when discussing this!

Anyways, anyone else take a beta blocker (I'm on toprol to be exact)...and what other side effects did they deal with? Apparently hallucinations and nightmares are also common...sweet.

I'd venture to say the headache is related to all the vessels in your body dilating since you started on Toprol. I'd watch for dizziness or lightheadedness when you go from sitting to standing, as well. Your body should start to compensate in a few days, if you're still having headaches it never hurts to call your doc or NP.

I would say the majority of heart /BP meds have a similar side effect profile. They have to list every side effect that's ever happened, even if its 1 in 1000 people that get it. Beta blockers do have a number of side effects possible (like most meds) but only a few are more common. having said that, they probably are less tolerated, especially in younger patients, than a number of others. The headache may very well be secondary to the toprol, though is not one of the more common side effects. if possible give it a few days to a week---a lot of times the side effects diminish significantly over time.

ccrunner609 wrote:BTW, Dell stopped and saw me.

I'm sorry.