Bisoprolol and Hawthorne: I'm going to... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,396 members38,727 posts

Bisoprolol and Hawthorne

Alan_G profile image
17 Replies

I'm going to ask my GP about this next week, but thought I'd ask if anybody here is on bisoprolol and hawthorne. I'm lucky in that I've been taking bisoprolol for 4 years without noticing any side effects. I'm so glad I'd not found this place before the cardiologist put me on it when I went to A&E as I would have been really worried based on the problems reported on here.

Out of all the herbal supplements I've researched, Hawthorne seems to come out with the most positive reviews for heart 'treatment'. However, I'm not clear how it reacts with bisoprolol as they both seem to (maybe) do the same thing and that might not be a good thing as my BP is normally below 120/80 and my pulse is in the low 50s. I'm all for taking Hawthorne if there are benefits, but not if it's just going to amplify what the bisoprolol is already doing.

My reason for looking at supplements is because I still get occasional ectopic beats and would like to be a bit more pro-active in lengthening the intervals between AF episodes.

Written by
Alan_G profile image
Alan_G
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
17 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Please discuss ANY supplements with your medical team or pharmacist BEFORE taking them. We are not medically trained and could not comment on the wisdom or otherwise of any herbal remedies.

Alan_G profile image
Alan_G in reply toBobD

Bob, I spent the majority of the post explaining I was going to talk to my GP and would not take it before knowing it was okay. I was just putting out a feeler to see if anybody was currently taking the 2 together. I'm sorry, but your reply did not tell me anything I don't already know.

Elaine1951 profile image
Elaine1951 in reply toAlan_G

I take co enzyme and magnesium and vit e and omega every day. I'm not on heart meds but b p med. in sure it's helped my AF

Polski profile image
Polski

Hi!  That's a good question.  If you find any info on the combination of Hawthorne and Bisprolol, or any info re how Hawthorne is supposed to work, I would be glad to hear it.  

Alan_G profile image
Alan_G in reply toPolski

I'm going to ask a GP tomorrow as well as 2 pharmacists to obtain a balanced view.

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply toAlan_G

Maybe also ask a Herbalist

kaziD profile image
kaziD

Hi I took the 2 together for almost a year.  I stopped taking hawthorne for two weeks and during that time had my second AF episode.  I hv since been taken off bisophosol by my ep and given pill in pocket instead.  I am still on hawthorne.  My cardiologist said it was ok to take it 

Tomred profile image
Tomred in reply tokaziD

hi kaziD im late in finding your post whilst doing some research into hawthorn berry , how much of h berry did you take along with bisoprolol, please do you still take h berry

Alan_G profile image
Alan_G

Well so much for that! Neither of the pharmacists (Boots and Lloyds) had even heard of hawthorn and were therefore unable to advise. My doctor had heard of it but as it was herbal remedy was unable to comment. He said the person I bought it from should be able to advise. It was that person that said check with your GP if you are on medication supplied by them. He didn't seem to think it would be harmful but didn't have a clue how it worked. The research I've done makes me believe it's okay and so I'll try the dose that is recommended and keep a close eye on my resting heart rate and BP.

Alan_G profile image
Alan_G

Taken from what I believe to be a reliable source:

Hawthorn is an extremely safe herb. As copious experience through the past and many modern clinicall studies have also shown it may be taken without fear by the young or old and may be used at the same time as any pharmaceutical medications with no concern as to adverse reactions or cross-overs.

PeterWh profile image
PeterWh

Does drugs.com list it to do a clash check?

Alan_G profile image
Alan_G

Herbal supplements don't appear on here. However, further research has revealed that taking hawthorn may POSSIBLY lower you BP. To that end taking it with a beta blocker such as bisoprolol could potentially further lower you BP and so I would say this would need to be closely monitored.

Hi Alan, I have dim recollection of researching Hawthorn over a year ago. All I can recall is that it is effective for some, it comes in a fairly wide range of strengths and is used more in Germany. It's one of those which needs approaching carefully.

Good luck and let us know.

Steve112 profile image
Steve112

I'm not sure I would ask my GP anything to do with Hawthorn....she doesn't take AF seriously so why would I expect an answer to Hawthorn ...

Tomred profile image
Tomred

HI ALAN G , IM LOOKING INTO HAWTHORN BERRY AND WAS WONDERING DID YOU TRY AND HOW YOU HAVE GOT ON WITH IT IM ON LOW DOSE 1.25 MG BISOPROLOL FOR PAF, SHOULD I WEAN OFF BISOP FIRST.

Alan_G profile image
Alan_G in reply toTomred

hi, I did actually come off bisoprolol because it lowered by HR too much. I took hawthorne for a few months but don't know if it helped because I was taking other things like magnesium as well. Currently, I'm not taking anything other than my apixaban. My episodes have changed. They have become much milder, to the point I hardly notice them, and revert back to normal much quicker as well. The regularity of these seems to vary though. I can go anywhere from a couple of weeks to four months without an episode. But hawthorne certainly didn't give me any problems.

Tomred profile image
Tomred in reply toAlan_G

thank you alan

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Vagal AF and Bisoprolol

I'm curious about the comments I've seen mentioned in more than one thread, that beta blockers...
Alan_G profile image

Bisoprolol

I've just seen a private cardiologist in Sheffield. Told him that Bisoprolol does not agree with...
Deeferdi profile image

Bisoprolol, bananas, and avocados!

Hi all, apologies for the very specific question but I ask it because I think there could be a...

Bisoprolol and funny tummy

Hi all I haven't been on the forum for a while but once again could do with some advice!! I hope...
Perrylees profile image

Bisoprolol and breathlessness

Hi all. Under the advice of my EP I have recently upped my bisoprolol from 2.5mg a day to 5mg in...
joebob profile image

Moderation team

See all
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.