Propranolol and Increased Heart Rate: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2021

For Performance Anxiety "For those of you like me who suffer severe performance/social anxiety, including rapid heartbeat, shaking, struggling to speak, etc., this drug is a perfect fix. It stops your body from being overrun with adrenaline, which enables you to come across calm and composed. It's so effective. Good luck to all those who suffer from this condition as it can really impact one's life."

• Tur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2020

For Panic Disorder "I had major issues with SSRIs. I think it’s because I didn’t need an increase in serotonin so they gave me horrendous side effects. I found this webpage and asked my Dr to try propranolol as my most common symptoms were a racing heart and an intense adrenaline rush. It had been months of my fight or flight 'switch' being turned on and this medication was able to switch it off. Along with meditation, deep breathing, and positive thinking, the anxiety is practically gone. I truly felt that I was going to be stuck feeling AWFUL for the rest of my life. I’m so thankful for this medication and I encourage you to try it if you have had issues with SSRIs. I"

• Gam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 29, 2014

For Performance Anxiety "Propranolol launched my career! I suffered from severe fight-or-flight syndrome during presentations, interviews, meetings, and even phone calls. Symptoms included rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, weak voice, etc. I started taking these almost a year ago and have since been promoted to a director position. I present to our entire organization and lead meetings with our executive team - symptom-free! I use 10 mg for meetings and up to 40 mg for presentations and interviews. I have also used 10 mg before a golf tournament and the 1st tee box jitters were completely gone. The rest of my game still sucked, but it felt good not to dribble the first one off the tee!"

• lou...
• December 22, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I've been on propranolol 80mg for 2 years along with mirtazapine 15mg. On these two meds, I will say I feel absolutely amazing. It stops my panic attacks like a cure and helps with stopping me thinking about the panic disorder. I used to get fast heart rate, hot flashes, turning stomach, and racing thoughts, but not anymore. It's a miracle combo, yippee! So yeah, it works differently on different bodies. It's how your body responds to the medication. For me, it slows my heart rate down, not dangerously low, but low enough where I feel more relaxed, yet with energy. I feel happier with a mild euphoria, and my sweating goes away. My sweaty hands have stopped, and the shivering has gone. If anyone is suffering from anxiety, please try propranolol first. It will make the difference. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

• Sky...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve been on propranolol for high blood pressure for almost a year. Does it work? Yes. However, it comes with a hefty price tag, and that is your overall well-being. I slipped into a depression from it. When I tried coming off it, my heart rate rocketed to 95 beats a minute from 65 while sitting still. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Scared to death, I went back up to my normal dose. I don’t have any feelings inside towards people, my wife, or anything. I’m completely dead inside thanks to this, but hey, I guess I’m alive, so that’s a bonus. I have no interest in sex or anything that used to make me happy. I have no pre-existing conditions that would have caused depression, and I was a happy person before taking it. The upside is that having no emotion means you really don’t care about anything, so there’s no stress or anxiety. My suggestion is that when you talk to your doctor, ask them if they would give this to their kids. That should help you make a decision as to whether or not it’s worth the price. Good luck, people, and heed my advice."

• Nen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2019

For Anxiety "My anxiety is so bad whenever I speak publicly in a presentation or in a meeting. I can feel my heart beating in my ears to the point where I can't hear my own voice. Other symptoms are involuntary spasms in my face, shaky hands and voice, dry mouth, red face, and a brain feeling clogged. I took 10 mg reluctantly because I thought it wouldn't help just before a meeting, but I was sailing through with confidence, greeting people, looking people in the eyes when I talked to them, and I was composed. The meeting, which usually feels very long, was a breeze and I got all my points across. I had gotten so bad I was waiting for when the adrenaline rush would take over my body with the inevitable fast heartbeat, but it never came. My heart stayed at a normal rate, and with the symptoms gone, I could focus on my work. This medication is good for people with performance anxiety and relieving physical symptoms only."

• mic...
• November 3, 2016

For Anxiety "I am a college student and I have panic disorder. This medication has gotten me through so much; whether that be class presentations, job interviews, and taking exams. This medication works to slow my heart rate down so whenever I am in an anxiety-provoking situation, I will not get the fight-or-flight symptoms like shakes, fast heartbeat, stuttering, and most importantly panic attacks. This pill will not cure your nervousness or worry, but it sure as heck will take away the symptoms caused by such. I hate going up in front of people to speak, but with this drug I am so calm that no one even knows that I was ever nervous."

• cpj...
• September 22, 2016

For Anxiety "I usually don't write reviews for stuff like this, but I took this today for the first time (40mg tablet). Over the past several months, I have been really struggling to get through work meetings, presentations, and general social events. Even driving has been a struggle as I get irritable very easily lately, especially in peak hour traffic. I break out into a sweat and get really hot, I bounce my legs and become fidgety, my chest tightens, heart races, and I cannot think properly. I start to stress out because I cannot control the physical symptoms, and it just makes it worse. It has been absolutely exhausting. Today I felt normal for the first time in a while, while driving and facilitating groups, meeting new people. Everything was fine :)"

• bkv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2025

For Anxiety "Propranolol is an awesome tool to have if you suffer from any type of physical anxiety. At the low dose needed for anxiety, it is considered very safe with a low side effect profile. I take 60 mg ER. If you take the ER version, the effects peak about 6 hours after you take it, so you want to take it earlier. I have a meeting today at 11 a.m., so I took it at 5 a.m., started to notice the effects around 9 a.m., and they continue to build right up till 11 and last for a long time. Normally, I get severe physical symptoms: heart racing, whole body feels tense, feel shaky, voice quivers... all the stuff anxiety people have to deal with. When I take the propranolol, it's like 90 percent of that just goes away. My body feels relaxed, and then after that, my mind starts to feel more relaxed because I don't have to worry about looking like I am a mess in front of others. I will still have some mental anxiety since it doesn't work on that directly, but propranolol is a must-have if you deal with anxiety."

• Gam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2022

For Anxiety "My panic attacks manifested in many physical symptoms, mostly irregular heartbeats and a racing heart, shaking sometimes. I was afraid all the time, afraid of the next panic attack. I went to the hospital several times, I went to so many different doctors-medical bills up the wazoo! Finally, a doctor prescribed me propranolol (10 mg in the morning and again at night), and I feel like I have my life back! Physical symptoms gone, I’m not afraid to leave the house, I feel like a new woman! I am on a path to healing the mental side of things, but this medication allows me to fully do that. Try this if you haven’t!"

• J D...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2019

For Anxiety "Been on this medicine going on week 3 in 2 days. I recommend it. It changed my life for the better. Currently on 20 mg 3 times a day. It took effect after a week of being on it. No longer feel anxiety, no more racing heart and blood pressure so much lower and better. So glad my doctor prescribed a medicine that works for me!!!"

• 2tr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2024

For Anxiety "Wow, just wow. This was the first thing that has actually helped me with GAD, social anxiety, and panic attacks. I had 2 the first two nights taking this, but they really helped so much to just accept them, and they passed. I've not gotten one again in 3 months, whereas before I was a daily panic attack person, often multiple times daily. I don't think my body liked it at first, but after the first week it was smooth sailing since then. I've been able to go out, socialize, and even got out of derealization after a few weeks. It does nothing for mental anxiety, but I find if you don't get adrenaline surges and fast heartbeats, it chills you out and really just makes those anxious thoughts not that big of a deal."

• Aco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2018

For Anxiety "I've been on Xanax for the last 3 years following a bout with Serotonin Syndrome due to taking St. John's Wort. I've tried Paxil, Celexa, and Trazodone, which landed me in the hospital with tachycardia and feeling much worse than when I started. My doctor weaned me off all meds and has had me on Xanax for anxiety (which I didn't have before the Serotonin Syndrome), and I still have anxiety on a daily basis, along with rapid heart rate. I started seeing a new doctor recently, and she suggested Propranolol for my heart and said it would also help my anxiety. After much debate, I decided I had to try something, especially since I now refuse to take any kind of SSRIs. So, I asked for the lowest dose, 10 mg twice a day, started with 5 mg at first, and I'm still working my way up. I've been on this medication for a week now, and I feel so much more calm, my heart rate is now in the 80's opposed to the 120's, and I don't feel the need to take as much Xanax as before. Glad I gave this drug a try!"

• aar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2019

For Anxiety "I took my first dose of propranolol today. I noticed a difference in my anxiety. I don't believe that this medicine will take away my anxious thoughts, but that is not what bothers me. What bothers me is the constant nervous feeling, my heart beating very fast, and the trembling in my body and voice whenever I feel anxious. I'm not like that all the time, only in situations when I'm uncomfortable. I definitely believe that I have agoraphobia. But after just one pill, I do feel better, and I imagine with time that I will be feeling completely normal. I will come back in a week and share my experience and then after one month. I'm already very excited about my experience."

• Ano...
• March 10, 2014

For Performance Anxiety "Propranolol is an amazing medication that completely eliminated the physical symptoms of my speech anxiety. My cognitive ability was sharp, and the symptoms of shaking, fast heartbeat, and adrenaline rushes were gone! I highly recommend this medicine for those of you who have uncontrollable physical speech anxiety."

• Joh...
• March 10, 2015

For Performance Anxiety "I had been having serious performance anxiety for about a year at work - voice shaking, rapid heartbeat, short of breath, lightheaded, couldn't collect my thoughts in front of my bosses or in meetings which I often led. I was avoiding talking to my bosses and direct reports. After taking this medicine, I notice a general calm when in these situations now, and I'm so relieved. I led a meeting today and didn't get nervous at all. I was able to put my thoughts together, no problem, and had minimal/manageable physiological symptoms. On a 10 MG dose."

• Lia...
• July 2, 2015

For Performance Anxiety "I have had a fear of speaking in front of groups for as far back as I can remember. I dreaded the days when I was assigned a presentation to give in front of my classmates. I tried MANY things to overcome my fear (i.e., hypnosis, practice/repetition, etc.), yet nothing seemed to calm my nerves. Oftentimes in college, I would choose to receive F's on assignments because it involved giving presentations. My voice would shake, I would get body tremors, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and mentally freeze. One day, I went to see a doctor, and she prescribed me propranolol. Although I doubted it would work, I took a 20 mg dose before a presentation and I couldn't believe the outcome. No more anxious symptoms! So glad I discovered it!"

• Tru...
• February 23, 2013

For Performance Anxiety "I have battled with public speaking for 18 years and would get nervous about a speech even if it was months away. It ended the second I took propranolol. I take 20-40 mg 1 hour prior to any public speaking event, and I am completely calm. No racing heartbeat prior to standing up, no shaky voice, no trembling hands, no more anxiety attacks, etc. I can't believe I've spent 18 years trying every technique on the market, herbs, physical training, etc., to finally realize this one medicine would instantly cure me. I was prescribed this by a psychiatrist after I lost all hope, and this has no doubt changed my life and career overnight. I went from a regular engineer to running a division of 200 people now with zero fear of speaking to them."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2019

For Anxiety "Persevering with propranolol for my anxiety, as it does make me feel calmer during the day. However, it keeps me up at night and causes my chest to feel tight, with shortness of breath, very bad dreams, and a pounding heart, which makes me panic. Not good! I also had all the general side effects, including feeling very woozy and faint. These have since pretty much stopped, so I am hoping the nighttime stuff will too. I'm giving it one more month."

• NRL...
• January 19, 2016

For Anxiety "For the past few weeks, I have been having shaky hands and anxiety during work. This isn't good considering I'm in the dental field. I have no idea what brought on the anxiety since I have been doing this job for over 10 years. It was getting to the point that I feared going to work the next day. I went in and spoke with my GP about this and how I didn't want to take anti-anxiety medication, but I wanted something that would stop my fast heartbeat and shaky hands. She prescribed me propranolol for the days I worked. Well, I breezed through the first day, no problem. I took 30 mg in the AM and did 10 mg 7 hours later. Tomorrow, I'm just going to do 20 mg in the AM to see if it's strong enough. This is the miracle drug."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2016

For Anxiety "I am now in my late 30s and have always been a very confident person. I work in the construction industry and have worked my way up the ladder into an executive role. Seven years ago, I had my first panic attack just prior to presenting to the company. I fought my way through it, but I developed classic fear symptoms moving forward. I would worry myself sick with anxiety thinking about my next presentation. Two years ago, I was prescribed propranolol, and it has been a life changer. No pounding heart or shortness of breath anymore! I take 30 mg before a presentation, 10 mg before a stressful meeting that I need to run, and 5 mg in the morning can calm me on a stressful day. I thought I needed to change careers at one point - not anymore - miracle med!"

• Ang...
• July 2, 2021

For Anxiety "My doctor prescribed propranolol to me for anxiety. It's awful. Made me have chest pain, heart is pounding, headache, my shoulders are tight, nausea, dizziness, my face feels hot. This drug should not be for anxiety."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2017

For Performance Anxiety "This medicine really works. As I commented below, I have struggled with panic attacks/anxiety that sometimes sets in when I am about to start presenting/speak in front of many people for 25 years (I am now 43). The strange thing is that sometimes it does not happen. I can't control under which presentation the body launches the full attack. Today I had another presentation for 35 people. I prepared very well. Took 60 mg propranolol 1 hour before. I had no heart racing, none of my usual shaky voice, no choking, etc. The med blocks it, actually. It WORKS. I can present calm as a normal person. I also noticed that I have almost no anxiety in the days before presentations compared to before when I didn't use propranolol as I know I'm going to be fine. I'm now not anxious."

• Jc6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2024

For Anxiety "Let me start by saying, I truly believe therapy is the best medication. Now, for my experience with medications; I have tried every SSRI, SNRI, Hydroxyzine, and Lamictal, and nothing ever really helped. I have had issues with severe trauma and constant ruminating on the events. My anxiety started out with severe heart racing and palpitations and different sensations in my body. Propranolol works wonders for this. It calms me down so I can focus and meditate and do all the things that work to help anxiety. If you suffer from panic attacks, racing heart, and feeling like you are about to die, this really might be the medication for you. I was also diagnosed with ADHD, so I take this and Adderall together, and it is an excellent combo. I actually am feeling like I used to before my panic attacks. It took 5 years to get here and trying multiple medications and getting a correct diagnosis, but I have found medications that work. Don’t quit; there is medication that will work for you!"

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2019

For Arrhythmia "Took propranolol just before Xmas, was just getting the odd palpitations. I'm 70 and not on any medications at all, and generally quite fit. My doctor put me on them as he said my pulse was quite fast, 80 mg one tab in the morning and one tab at night. First tablet OK. But after that, never felt so ill, my heart was racing. Felt no energy, tired. Sick. Couldn't eat. I was on them for 17 days, ended up in A&E twice, ambulance the lot. Blood pressure hit the roof, pulse was out of control. And when I came off them, I went worse. It is now early March 2019, and I'm just about getting back to normal. Prior to taking them, I had low blood pressure. Now it just goes up and down through taking them. Rue the day I was ever given them. Maybe not everyone reacts the same to them, and they do a lot of people good, but not for me."