bisoprolol

[nickyprice75]

Hi everyone

Im new to this website and i was looking for some advice.

I have been on bisoprolol for the last 2 months and i have had very little change in my heart rate. My resting heart rate was around 135 before starting this medication. it has lowered to around 110bpm at rest but still high.

I started on a 2,5mg dose and then changed to 5mg. I am now on 7.5mg.

My question is, should this medication be doing more for me?

Also should i be given anticoagulants?

Thanks Nicky

[BobD Volunteer]

Firstly the question of anticoagaulant. You need to check your CHADSVASC score which you can do on AF Association main website. With a score of 2 or more then yes you should. Remember that scores are dependant on any condition and not if they are controlled EG high blood pressure even controlled by pills does count.

Secondly , bisoprolol is almost always the first drug to be tried as rate control trends to be the first attack against AF used. especially by GP level doctors. You may need different treatment and it often takes time to find the right balance or combination of drugs. Under UK NICE guidelines if your GP has not managed your symptoms within a month then you may be referred to an arrhythmia specialist who can be even a specialist arrhythmia nurse, a cardiologist or elctrophsyiologist.

Go to AF Association website and read all you can as knowledge is power.

[nickyprice75 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob

Thank you for the reply. I will check out my score.

I might ask my doctor to refer me to a specialist if nothing has improved at my next appointment next week.

I will have a look on the website and arm myself with whatever info i can.

Thanks again.