Slow pulse.

[Dottilind]

Morning all. Just wanting to know if any of you have slow heart rate since taking Bisoprolol and Felcadine. I am only on small dosage but had a slow heart rate befor I was out on Flec. Now I dont feel well at times and check my pulse and the rate of 42/45. Is this normal.

[Rellim296]

This is good advice. I don't feel there's anything much wrong with having a slow pulse if you can function well but if it makes you feel unwell, your medication could perhaps be altered slightly.

[Craggy]

I am taking flecainide and bisoprolol. My average pulse rate is around 49 but has been as low as 40. My GP was not concerned as I did not display any associated symptoms but I was advised to immediately report any dizzy spells or feeling of unwell etc.

I recommend that you should discuss things with your GP.

[AnticoagulateNow]

Yes, this will be the bisoprolol doing its job. Bisoprolol is a 'rate control' drug, controlling the heartrate as opposed to flecainide which is a 'rhythm control' drug used to steady any arrhythmia. Good advice above. If the slowness of your heartbeat is problematic for you, and at 40 it could well be, then talk to your GP and discuss reducing slightly the dosage of the bisoprolol. A resting beat of 60 is a reasonable target to aim for.

[Runcrans]

Hi , I too went down to 38 bpm when I was on 5 mg bisoprolol , I went to the doctors we tweaked the dose to half , it sometimes still goes low 45 ish and I certainly no about it feeling really slow and no energy , talk to your gp about altering the dose cheers Paul

[Dottilind in reply to Runcrans]

Hi Runcrans, took emergency appointment yesterday and he checked me all over. Told him my symptoms, he said he would write to my cardiologist as he thinks Feclanide is the tab causing me trouble. Took my pulse 42. he was concerned and said 50 was acceptable but mine too low. No more Feclamide but still on Biso. 1.2 small dose but had to reduce when I first went on last year. Still feel as though been run over by bus. I am 73 and quite fit but feel that I cant even take my Jack Russell terrier oit as she wears me out anyway. Thanks for your reply. Dot

[Runcrans in reply to Dottilind]

Hi dot , I no what you mean I'm

Only 46 and the meds took about three months to settle in and start to help instead of agrevate my af , there seems to be quite a lot of meds about so maybe you cardiologist will change them , it mite be worth asking about ablation too cheers Paul

[Dottilind in reply to Runcrans]

Hi Paul, that was the reason for seeing cardio to have ablation op. In the end after two cardio consultants I decided the aamount of time s I have af in my case PAF I do not want to put myself through that. Consultant agreed with me and then put me on Flecanide. It will all probably work itself out hopefully. Dot

[Runcrans in reply to Dottilind]

That's good dotti it's got to be what you want at the end of the day ,my af is paroxomol too for now anyway but the not knowing when it's going to happen makes it worse or me has I'm still at a age were I have to work and be reliable ,I'm sure if you get the rite drugs it can be managed just takes a bit of adjustment and time ,

Regards Paul

[Jock68]

A Low rate was the original reason that I went to see the doctor. There were times when my rate went down to 34 for about 10/15 mins and all I could do my lay down of sit still. I could feel it coming on in a headache, so I went to the doctor. We discovered that some of the events that I was experiencing was caused by a high rate 170 while washing the car. When I went on to the Bisoprolol 2.5 mg my resting rate sat at 46 and that seemed to help stop the low rates. Very confusing, after my Ablation, no meds and it sits at around 58. I do get some high rates, even though I do not do anything energetic, last night while watching telly it went up to 100 for about 15 mins, stayed in the chair and let it pass. As you can see from the many post there is a lot of variation in peoples experience with AF.

[Dottilind in reply to Jock68]

Thanks Jock for the input. Is it possible to go into AF and not even know that it is happening except as a a feeling of heaviness on right side. Dot

[Jock68 in reply to Dottilind]

With me it is feeling dizzy and headaches, I have irregular heartbeats and I just have to lay down when this happens. I am lucky to have Nurse for a wife and she know when it is a serious event. During an event I have no energy, it is an effort just to lift my arms. Being overweight does not help.

[seasider18]

My heart rate was once 136 and a doctor told me to take a 2.5mg Bisoprolol as soon as I got my prescription and another one at night. In the morning my heart rate was down to 34. Even a 1.25mg dose lowered my heart rate too much.