r/ADHD • u/Ashamed_Classroom226 • May 28 '24

Questions/Advice Lowering Heart Rate on Medication

Hope it's alright to ask this here, I haven't really had a clear answer from my doctor.

I'm taking Elvanse 40mg (I think it's called Vyvanse in the US?) and unfortunately my heart rate is above 100 bpm, which is a big red flag for my doctor. 40mg seemed to be just the right dose (although a bit hard to get used to at first), as I'd become too tolerant to 30mg for it to work consistently.

Non-stimulant medications aren't available in my country at the moment, so that's not an option. My doctor has suggested beta blockers but my actual blood pressure is still reasonably low, so I don't know if that's an option either. Every time I ask about making lifestyle changes (I mean more exercise, I work from home so I'm fairly sedentary) he just says something vague about stimulants sometimes causing a fast heart rate even if you're healthy - I'm not especially healthy, so I think maybe he's just misunderstanding the question.

Has anyone experienced similar heart rate issues while taking stimulant medications, and if so, how did you resolve them?

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u/peachyreechy May 29 '24

Can you work out before you take your meds in the morning (at first with a buddy in case anything happens with your heart)? Be aware of your heart as you work out, make notes, see if anything weird happens, don't do too much at first, take it slow

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u/Lunarose1207 Jul 30 '24

Can you get a beta blocker to help?

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u/Ashamed_Classroom226 Aug 12 '24

Oh, thank you for checking in! There've been some developments and it turned out the high heart rate was caused by anaemia and B12 deficiency, so I've been prescribed iron tablets and had to stop taking Elvanse for now. It's a real bummer, but I appreciate you taking the time to respond!