Home > Community > Patient News Feed > Joe Tarango

Joe's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: June 20, 2019

Send Joe a Note

My Posts

Joe Tarango posted an update

6 years ago (March 15, 2020)

Good evening, I have been on metoprolol succinate since my surgery on August 20, 2019. I believe my local cardiologist wants to start tapering me off this. I noticed my heart rate is avg 50-55 sometimes dipping into high 40s. I'm concerned with long term use and my heart rate... Read more.

Carlos Banuelos

I took for for 3 months after my surgery in on July 16, 2019. After 2 months I went from 75mg/day to 25mg/day, then went off it altogether after 3 months post op. My cardiologist was fine with me going off it so long as my blood pressure didn't increase... Read more.

Marie Myers

I have been on metoprolol tartrate 12.5 mg twice a day since my surgery 3 years ago.My heart rate runs 55-62. As a 40 year nurse-anesthetist, I've seen many, many low heart rates on beta blocker patients over the years, some in the 30's. If you are feeling faint, especially... Read more.

Susan Lynn

Joe - My surgeon put me on it for three months. Then, my cardiologist had me on a low dose for six additional months. As Marie mentioned, I would get lightheaded upon standing. I switched cardiologists and was immediately taken off as he was unable to see anything in my... Read more.

Catie B

I was on it about 3 months and had to be at the low 12.5 mg/day dose because it lowered BP and heart rate--and mine runs on the low side anyway. I'm often in the 50s at rest without metoprolol. I keep some around to use for palpitations but don't... Read more.

Rose Madura

I had surgery in May of 2017 and had a lot of problems with Afib/aflutter and was on Metoprolol and Amiodadrone. After about six weeks, I was taken off Amiodadrone and my dosage of Metoprolol was gradually lowered. During this time, my heart rate would venture down in the high... Read more.

Chris Calhoun

I was on it but was then told my ejection fraction had lowered to 34% post surgery down from 59% pre surgery - they switched me to Coreg and Entresto - the Entresto is very expensive I am praying I can get off of it but it did seem to... Read more.

Daryl McCallum

I have been on the metoprolol tartrate since my surgery back in 2014.

Anonymous

Is this metoprolol the same as labetalol? I have been taking labetalol since my surgery over three months ago, I do feel lightheaded and light dizziness as I get up from bed or sitting. I'm hoping my new Cardiologist appointment is April 3rd and hoping it doesn't get canceled as... Read more.

Marie Myers

Anna- labetalol is another beta blocker similar to metoprolol. If you are having dizziness upon standing, your doc might want to lower the dose.

Jeffrey Dyer

I was on it for 2 months and was taken off... My heart rate went up and my BP went up. Tried Losartan... Didn't work... Back on metoprolol.

Sommer Russell

I am on Metoprolol and was hopeful that I would be weaned off of it as well. Man, I feel like one lazy bag of bones on that medicine. Anyone else? My heart likes to throw PVC's and jump up fast if not on it, though. My brilliant PCP did... Read more.

Anonymous

Oh my angel Marie Myers, my pcp asked me to come in but because of the virus I don't want to leave my home and go to a doctor's office and risk getting exposed to it. Hopefully I will be able to see my new Cardiologist next month on the... Read more.

Joe Tarango

I was getting light-headed when on a 75mg dose but not so much on 50mg. Hopefully I move down to 25mg and off altogether. I have an appointment to see my cardiologist at the end of the month for a follow-up echo to check the status of the valve so... Read more.

Diane Capece

I have been on Metoprolol Tartrate 12.5 mg twice a day since my surgery in 2016 with no problems. In January of this year after some problems with high blood pressure I was switched to Verapamil. Had a terrible reaction to it and went back on the Metoprolol the same... Read more.

Rita Savelis

I was on metrapolol for a yr and begged to get off as it slowed me way down. Hard to have any energy with that med. Your heart needs the rest for awhile after OHS but getting off betablockers made my depression lift.

Anonymous

Hello Joe, hope your appointment is not canceled. Hope your cardiologist will reduce that Med for you. Thank you for prayers, we all need them. I too will continue to pray for all of us.

Joe Tarango posted an update

6 years ago (October 24, 2019)

Hello Brave HWs, I am wrapping up week 9 of my recovery from aortic valve repair. I feel much stronger each day and almost like I'm back to normal. I've started lifting light weights in cardio rehab which I am excited to get back into. I have noticed improved breathing... Read more.

👍 Tina Maroon, Shannon Gray and reacted to this

Shannon Gray

Beautiful post, Joe. Always so nice to get your update. And you put into words a very common feeling so many experience after heart surgery. Tentative, worry, sometimes even self doubt.... you are. It alone. It does take time to build upon that, but you will. You've done so well!... Read more.

Heart Warrior

Great attitude!

Anonymous

Great post Joe. So glad you expressed your gratitude to God, your wife and us all. You will be ok with God's Grace. Stay faithful and follow your doctor's directions and your cardio rehab. Wish you the best

Marie Myers

Having such a big surgery does mess with your head. I agree that it does make obvious our own mortality. I decided to look at it as just another phase in my "growing Up" Wishing you all the best in your recovery!

Joe Tarango posted an update

6 years ago (September 17, 2019)

I have a question on the new normal.. I am 28 days post op and sometimes I feel my chest/sternum behind the incision has a crunching/grinding sensation like bone rubbing on bone. When does it go away or is that the new normal?

👍 Michele Ripley reacted to this

Bradley Dunn

Might want to mention this to the doc... I'm not sure but you could of pulled something loose. Your bones shouldn't be moving.

Frank Giovanniello

Joe, Bradley is right, do mention it to the doctor. I'm 5 weeks out, and from the coughing he thinks the lower part feels loose. He wants to wait 3 more weeks, see if it heals itself. Otherwise he will need to insert a plate. my top is very tight.

Marie Myers

Yes, I think those symptoms are worthy of a doctor visit. If the sternum is not healing properly, it is better to know now.

Carlos Banuelos

I'm 9 weeks out and still have those same symptoms, especially when I take a deep breath and expand my lungs/rib cage. I see my cardiologist today and it's one of my questions for him. It doesn't hurt though - sane for you?

Joe Tarango

It doesn't hurt and seemed like it was going away until I just touched the bottom of my incision and felt it again. CT results said wires are intact with sternal healing.

Carlos Banuelos

Yeah, all was great at my check-up and I'm basically back to normal. I still have little physiological things like that and the strong heart beat but I think it's just the new normal or will subside with time.

New Patient Posts