I have history of palpitations and chest pains (not anxiety related, or rarely), often producing irregular beats. Problems increased since summer and so has my atenolol dosage a few times. Lately, I am finding that my heart rate gets very low in the 40's with a blood pressure of like 122/80 (or higher) during episodes of chest pain. The blood pressure later comes down to "my normal" low rate range of 80's/50's up to 100/60, but pulse rate can be about the same.

I had an episode of chest pain last night that lasted for several minutes. It's nothing new, per se, but I know that just having my rate going into the 40's (again) concerns my doctors office. Also my recent history of dose adjustments and continuing problems--plus the fact that when I was in office early this week for a pain-causing virus, my blood pressure then was 80/60. So, I got a call from the doctors office on what happened last night, and they said the next time that happens I need to go to the ER right away.

By the time I get to an ER, the problem will likely be mostly over, and I will probably be stressed enough because of feeling "stupid" for being there to cause an increase in my heart rate. I don't want to go to the ER for this! They will learn I have psych issues and figure its anxiety, tests will come back normal or within limits, and they won't bother to do any investigating--just make sure she's stable and not experiencing anything immediately life threatening and send her out the door. That's how they work--at least around here, that is.