Adult ADHD medication and heart rate

[Cordiallee]

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD in my mid-forties. Explained a lot of my difficulties with organisation, my short fuse, emotional highs and lows and concentration struggles. I went private as my GP said it would be at least a year to get seen. The doctor prescribed methylphenidate, I’m currently at 15mg twice a day.

It’s great how I feel more focused and less tired. I can go through the day, work and take care of kids and even have the energy for watching a film in the evening rather than be a sleeping zombie after 3 in the afternoon. But I feel a certain pressure in my chest, and when I compare my blood pressure and heart rate from before there is definitely a difference. When before I was around 70, now my heart rate is 85-90. I think this is in the higher normal but I worry that I am going to give myself a heart attack.

Any advice welcome, I don’t want to go back to being emotionally exhausted and sleepy but also don’t want to die all energetic 😟

At the moment, I take 15 in the morning and only 10 in the later part of the day but it’s now almost noon and my heart rate was 86 and 92 when I checked it a second time. Am I an idiot to not stop straight away?

Don't stop taking your medication without speaking to the doctor.

That heart rate isn't an overly high rate.

What is your blood pressure, as you say that seems raised than before?

I'm 5 weeks on from recovering from Covid and I'm currently walking home from the doctors.my normal heart rate is around what you're experiencing. I used to have svt where my heart would go to 250-280+. Walking home now it's around 130-140, sometimes higher. Although not ideal gp isn't Particularly concerned.

High blood pressure is more of a concern but depends on how high and if it's being monitored or not. Mine is currently very high following Covid but is being monitored, and I bought my own machine, and I take medication for it now.

Thank you so much Aragog, I really appreciate your reply. Hope your recovery is going well, and that you will soon start feeling better.

My blood pressure isn’t too bad, just now I was 115/80 but I am more worried about the chest pressure - it hurts like something is pressing down on my chest. It is definitely hurting, hence I use the blood pressure monitor - mind you, it’s the cheapest omron one so who know if it’s correct and not worst.

You are right that I cannot just stop without talking to the doctor so I will arrange a phone appointment ASAP.

(Writing on my phone, please excuse the silly typos)

My husband was also recently diagnosed with ADHD and given medication. The first one he tried also gave him a higher heart rate so they changed him to a different one which he is now fine on. He went from a 12 hour one to a 4 hour one. You can stop taking them if you're not happy, it just means the symptoms won't be suppressed. Both DH and DS take meds for it and they absolutely can take breaks, my DS didn't take any between march and September at all.

Thank you blindmansbluff, I’m on a short-lasting one as well, hence the two doses per day. Maybe I will try to bring the dose further down, I’ll see what the doctor says when I speak to him.

I feel that just getting the diagnosis has helped already, because most of the time now I can take a step back before getting upset with something, and I’m less critical with my failures... but also, the last few weeks have been a revelation in how less tired I have been feeling. I would really miss that!

Thanks again, hope your DH and DS are happy with their treatment now. Have a lovely day.

Above 100 is a concern but that is in normal range. What you may be experiencing is increased anxiety. That is not uncommon with stimulants.

I'm on a different med and my heart rate went up at first, so it may settle. Also walking more can make a difference in lowering your resting heart rate.

Thank you User258544 that’s reassuring