Heart rate on bisoprolol

[Coral39]

Hi I have been on bisoprolol for almost 5 months for af and over that time I’ve had my bisoprolol been put up from 2.5mg twice a day to having it doubled about a month ago due to my heart rate gong quite fast and I got admitted in hospital over night well back when it was under control again after dose was put up it was down to between 60/70bpm but now it’s between 47/52bpm I’m almost on phone to doc every day worried but they said again today that they are happy with it being 47 bpm when. It dips like that it has been higher a little bit at times today but right now it’s hovering around the 50bpm

Question is will it continue to lower my heart rate or will it settle as dcs don’t seem to be that bothered

[BobD Volunteer]

Numbers are unimportant. How you feel is all. If it went much below 40 I would chase the doctors but again how you are taking it makes a huge difference as few machines are capable of accurate reading if you have AF..

[Coral39 in reply to BobD]

Thanks for you reply makes me feel a bit better but as I have anxiety to that don’t help

I’m just concerned that it will keep dropping further have you ever had this

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Coral39]

Sorry Coral I have never been on bisoprolol. When I took beta blockers many years back atenalol was the norm. I was soon switched to a rhythm control drug anyway.

[Emsysy]

I am on 1.25mg of Bisoprolol and my constantly erratic pulse can vary between the 40s and 80’s. Due to the AF the rate can switch between these levels constantly and very quickly. Having had this situation for many years now I take no notice and, in fact, rarely notice the changing rate.

I would not worry about it.

[Mazza23]

It's how you feel I am on 10mg of bisoprolol hr between 45-60 been like this for 4years

[jeemlad]

It's normal for bisoprolol to slow the pulse rate. When I was started on it in Oct 2015 (after nearly 8 years without treatment) at 2.5mgs/day it slowed my PR from mid 70s to mid 50s. It also made me less able to feel my heartbeat into the bargain. High anxiety levels will make your heart rate erratic, and make you more prone to AF episodes into the bargain. As will stress - avoid it like the plague.

Try to ensure that your magnesium intake is at a healthy level - about 400mgs/day - as that will help to reduce your anxiety levels and also make your heart pump more efficiently and steadily. If your diet is low in magnesium then it may be worthwhile supplementing, or possibly not, as we're all different. It's also sensible to get medical advice on your blood levels of magnesium and supplementation. If you're in the uk, as I am, you may find it difficult to get any help with that, depending on whether or not your doctor is interested enough to be up to date on AF treatment. I take 200-300mgs of magnesium citrate daily and it helps considerably. It's also allowed me to cut my bisoprolol dose to 1.25mgs without negative effects so far (4 months now and only 1 episode)).

It's important to minimise the number of episodes you have, as AF gradually remodels the heart muscle and also seeks out and creates new electrical pathways, meaning that AF begets AF. So, you're right to treat it seriously, but it's just as important that you adopt as calm a lifestyle as you can. Good luck.

[Coral39 in reply to jeemlad]

What you have said makes total sense will doc prescribe magnesium? As when I was in hospital a month ago they gave me magnesium on a drip to help protect the heart I don’t think I’ve had many af episodes I’ve had one when it got diagnosed then my 2nd a month ago I get a few skips/palpitations but not af as such but the more I worry about what I feel in between in my chest tends to bring on my anxiety a lot more I try my hardest to control it I’ve had anxiety for 18 years but never along with af before it’s not a nice combo to have I’m on a max of bisoprolol 5mg in morn and same in evening and up to 2mg of diazepam 3 times a day if needed some times well most I can’t cope it gets to point I don’t know what to do I can’t barely sleep that makes things worse how do you cope x

[Gladaven]

Hi Coral did you have any trouble getting the diazepam from your GP ? They are so reluctant to prescribe it. I too suffer anxiety and get only 14 tabs per month. I also have AF, Type 2 Diabetes, and Arthritis. Cheers Gladie. Xx.

[Coral39 in reply to Gladaven]

No I don’t have no trouble at all I get given 30 every 2 weeks and recently that gave me 60 to last 2 weeks as I have it bad with my af but they know and trust me they can see I am not the kinda person to take to many etc they speak highly of me when it comes to diazepam they have looked back over the years of my records and can see I’m not addicted and that I’ve only ever used them when I absolutely need to which will always be the case I never take to many which is what they are worried about but mine are only 2mg diazepam

[Gladaven]

Mine are also 2mg I am about to request my next 14 tabs and still have 10 tabs left from last month's issue. I have only taken when really needed, have you learned any tips to control your anxiety? I have started to take Magnesium to see if that will help.x.

[Coral39 in reply to Gladaven]

I haven’t learnt any tips tbh I just withhold from the diazepam TIL I can’t take the anxiety anymore they gave me magnesium on a drip when I was last admitted to protect my heart xx