How is hypertension with bradycardia treated?

Bradycardia means a slower-than-expected heart rate. High blood pressure and a slow pulse can occur together for different reasons, including medicines that lower heart rate, problems with the heart's electrical system, changes in thyroid function, sleep-related breathing problems or other illness. The pulse, blood pressure pattern, symptoms, medication list and an electrocardiogram help guide the assessment. Treatment is not chosen from the blood pressure number alone, because lowering pressure further or slowing the heart may be unsafe for some people.

Do not stop a prescribed beta blocker, calcium-channel blocker or other medicine without medical advice. A clinician may review doses, check an electrocardiogram and blood tests, and look for contributing conditions. They may choose a blood-pressure treatment that does not further slow the pulse, depending on your health and other medicines. Record pulse and blood pressure at consistent times, alongside dizziness, tiredness or faint feelings. Keep the record for review and avoid taking someone else's medicine.

Call emergency services for fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness, new confusion, marked weakness or a very slow pulse with symptoms. Seek prompt clinical advice if repeated readings are high, your pulse is newly slow, or you develop dizziness after a medicine change. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint.

Ask whether any current medicine could be slowing your pulse, which readings to record, whether an electrocardiogram is needed, and what symptoms should trigger same-day advice.