I have had AF since last August now on 2.5mg bisoprolol , have a low BP but keep getting palpitations.

[OmaJEO]

I feel that keep going back to the Drs does not achieve much apart from them upping the dosage or if 5mg lowering it.

[BobD Volunteer]

What kind of a doctor is treating you Lasvegas? Gps are notoriously bad at this so you should see a cardiologist or preferably an electrophysiologist, the electrician type of cardiologist. There are many possible treatments and you should not be left struggling.after only one drug attempt.

Bob

[OmaJEO]

Just the normal GP

[Hidden]

My GP put me on Bisoprolol. Cardio said it was completely the wrong drug for me and took me off them. Just made me feel slow and poorly, but it works for others. My EP/Cardio changed me to a rhythm control drug which GP's can't prescribe (as far as I know, or mine can't anyhow).

Koll

[rosyG]

Hi LasVegas

As Bob said , you need proper advice - also if you have AF at night or after meals you may have vagal type AF and bisoprolol and digoxin shouldn't be used in that case as may worsen the situation.

Hope you can get to see a cardiologist or EP asap.

[CDreamer]

Hi las vagal, welcome. I agree, it is much preferable to have a cardiologist EP to diagnose and treat so perhaps you might try being a little more insistent about your GP referring you?

Bisoprolol is an anti heart rate drug not an anti arrhythmic drug so that may be why it is not controlling your palpitations but maybe keeping your heartrate down. I have low BP which sometimes drops significantly, especially when in AF, the one thing Bisoprolol did for was stabilize my BP to an acceptable level. Even after 2 ablations I am still taking it, though I hate the side effects of tiredness, it does keep my BP up, however counterintuitive that is considering it is a beta blocker.

[gerryatriq]

But bisoprolol is a heart selective beta blocker, (unlike sotalol which is not) it interferes less with the normal adrenalin flow, and so should therefore not make you as tired and lethargic as something like Sotalol. (prob the most commonly prescribed B blocker for AF).

But remember that your heart, when in AF, is much less efficient than in NSR, hence feeling tired.

But non of these BBlockers are likely to stop the AF, they are for heart rate control only.

Flecanide and Amiodarone are the principle drugs to address the actual heart rhythm.

But its so important to attempt to stop the AF NOW

Do not let them tinker around the edges, the chances are of left to go its merry way it will get worse and more often until permanent, when it becomes almost impossible to revert to NSR.