Palpitations

[countrysider]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone gets palpitations on bisoprolol? Been on 2.5mg for a year, and last night had palpitations as bad as before. Also slight AF last week. Anxiety had been slightly worse lately, but I've had a lot worse and been ok. Thanks

[CDreamer]

Hi countrysider - much as I dislike Bisoprolol for all sorts of reasons - I think the cause of your palpitations is far more likely to be anxiety. Biso is also used to treat anxiety but IMHO there are many, many, more effective and less damaging ways to treat anxiety.

[countrysider in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you, I actually have prescribed herbal meds for anxiety, maybe after 20 years it's time to get the doc involved instead. i always go down the natural route if possible. thanks for reply.

[CDreamer in reply to countrysider]

Slow breathing techniques, Mindfulness daily practice and CBT - all very effective without taking anything. Herbal preparations can be helpful but do beware and only be advised by a qualified herbalist - Neal’s Yard shops often have one on site - and DO always check with your pharmacist for interactions with other meds before even thinking of taking anything - herbs are at least, if not more potent with side side effects than Pharmaceuticals and they don’t mix very well!

[Gladaven in reply to CDreamer]

Hello 👋 CDreamer, please can you tell me where I can find advice and instruction on how to do, deep breathing techniques and any other tips you mention to aid chronic anxiety problems. You are so right about taking herbal remedies as they can have bad interactions with anyone who like me has AF Diabetes and takes Warfarin Bisoprolol and many other meds. I would be so grateful for yours and any others helpful advice. Thanks and cheers. Gladie.xxxx

[CDreamer in reply to Gladaven]

Hi - slow breathing is really easy - it’s just remembering to do it regularly that’s tricky, getting into the habit is half the battle.

One I teach is really easy and relies on making the out breath longer than the in breath so...

Breath in for a count of 7, hold for 1 and then breath out for count of 11, hold for 1 and repeat. If you are unable to to breath that slowly then red use the count to 5,1,7,1 or even less - whatever is comfortable for you. The point is to make you focus on breathing slowly and evenly and think only about your breath.

Once you feel comfortable, and most people find it easier to close your eyes, think of an image that represents for you the word balance - if nothing comes to mind then just repeat in your mind the word ‘balance’ whilst you are practising the breathing. If you can do the exercise when AF first strikes and calm yourself you may very well find you can halt an episode - it’s remebering to do it! Try it and let me know how you get on.

You can also use phone apps such as Calm or Headspace or Omnava - personally I like Calm.

They all also have FB support pages.

CBTMindfulness is available through GP referral in some places and most GPs will refer for anxiety management but it is often on-line courses for low level anxiety.

You may also find this site useful

anxieties.com/57/panic-step...

I’ll post a link to a post of mine back in Dec which you may also find useful - when I can find it!

Best wishes CD

[Gladaven in reply to CDreamer]

Dear CDreàmer, thank you for your kind reply I will most certainly try the deep breathing ! How often should I practice and is that breathing from my upper chest or my abdomen. All tips most gratefully received,I look forward to any links you can post me. Cheers Gladie.

[CDreamer in reply to Gladaven]

I always encouraged people to try it twice a day - timing to suit you. Just follow the breath and notice where it goes but for slow, deep breathing you should be using your diaphragm and filling and expelling all of the air. When you get anxious you start breathing fast and shallow and what then what happens is that you get too much oxygen into your system - which is a biological feedback which switches on the Fight or Flight alarm system so your body believes there is an immediate threat.

What the slow breathing does is level the balance of gasses in your system - which helps soothe the Fight & Flight and help put you back into Rest and Digest mode. With your mind focussing on your breathing - you break the cycle of worry thoughts. About 5 mins twice a day will help and then it starts to become habit and you will start to notice when your breath starts to become shallow and you can then take a deeper breath or two and break the cycle early in the process.

😉

[Gladaven in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you CDreamer, I shall seriously try hard, Kind Regards Gladie. X.

[wilsond in reply to Gladaven]

Hi Gladie,Cds suggestions have really helped me take control of AF,especially if I catch it early.not 100% of course,there are times when it just 'goes for it' whatever I do,and I just sit it out.

Practice makes perfect,at first I struggled a bit but got it cracked quite soon! Best of luck xx

[Gladaven in reply to CDreamer]

Dear CD did you ever find your link which you said you would look for? I always find your links tips and advice so useful. I eagerly await your kind reply. Hope you are feeling good, Very Best Wishes, hope that you had a Happy Easter, Cheers Gladys.

[CDreamer in reply to Gladaven]

Sorry I forgot - it’s a bit dated now healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

Hope it has something of interest for you. Best wishes CD

[countrysider in reply to CDreamer]

The herbalist that treats me has done so for around 20 years and is well qualified with a good reputation in the area. He is fully conversant with regular drugs and prescribes for me totally compatible herbs. My anxiety cannot be treated by CBT, breathing exercises etc alone, it is deep-rooted and genetic going back generations.

Many find those techniques hugely beneficial, and they've helped me to a certain extent and no further. A positive attitude is one of the best things you can have if you can find the strength to use it.

There are some herbalists I'm sure that are less qualified than they ought to be, but mine is one of good ones. As you rightly say CDreamer, always, always check for possible interaction.

[BobD Volunteer]

The word palpitations just means that somebody is aware of their heart beating. This could be anything from ectopic beats through tachycardia to full blown atrial fibrillation so what drug you may be taking is quite irrelevant, I agree with CDreamer that anxiety is likely more at fault than any drug.

[countrysider in reply to BobD]

Thank you, yes it could well be the anxiety causing it, but i was just so surprised that the palpitations happened at all on bisopoprol. just left message for doc, he says to monitor it over next 2-3weeks. palps were very fast, as bad as before medication. thanks again.

[pottypete1]

Bisoprolol is a rate control drug not a rhythm control drug therefore if you have rhythm issues that would be why you are aware of your heart beating.

Firstly try both walking and relaxing with deep breaths as this can often reduce the anxiety and as a consequences the palpitations.

If you still have problems then seek medical advice.

Pete

[countrysider in reply to pottypete1]

Thank you, I do have AFib but on this occasion, it was just sheer speed of the beats hammering in my ears such as I've had pre bisoprolol. Thanks for replying.

[pottypete1]

Sounds like you need a consultation with an EP to discuss your current condition and the best way forward. It is not necessarily right to just keep taking the tablets as things change.

Pete

[IanMK]

I am on Bisoprolol and also get palpitations. As Pete suggests, bisoprolol is not aimed at preventing palpitations.

[countrysider in reply to IanMK]

Thank you for your reply, I am confused. I thought bisoprolol was to stop the racing? That in my case is the palpitations, which can lead to the AFib with me. So, what exactly is bisoprolol for?

[Babyr1996 in reply to countrysider]

Bisoprolol prevents irregular heart beats, during stress and decreases cardiovascular workload. It also dilates blood vessels and thus facilitating blood flow. In other words it takes the pressure off your heart from having to work too hard during times of stress ie during fast heart rate etc. Hope that helps

[countrysider in reply to Babyr1996]

Thank you, that's cleared that up for me.

[bennie06]

Try "Qi Gong" (google it). Very good breathing/meditation exercises. Needs perseverance and an open mind. Can also progress to Tai Chi which can be as energetic as you like. Breath in Breath out and Good Luck.

[countrysider in reply to bennie06]

Coincidentally, I am actually starting Tai Chi as a gentle start to improving general health, especially in the sciatic area! Thank you for your reply.

[bennie06 in reply to countrysider]

Am sure that you will find it helps. Wouldn't start on the sword form just yet (only joking!). Enjoy.

[countrysider in reply to bennie06]

Sounds intriguing! Thanks.

[Pikaia]

I'm on 5mg Bisoprolol and I've found it's increased my palpitations, both PACs (from the atria) and PVCs (from the ventricles). However, it has settled down on the whole and now I think the bisoprolol just makes me more susceptible to palpitations, in lieu of AF. Just last night I had a couple of hours of PACs. Uncomfortable yes, but much preferable to a couple of hours of AF. I'm putting that down to a win by Bisoprolol. I hate being on it, but it does have its uses.

[ILowe]

Agreed, bisoprolol is mainly a rate-controller. It has other effects. It is often used with flecainide -- a rhythm controller.

Think of it this way. Rhythm and Rate have to work together, and sometimes they get out of sync. If the heart rate is too low, how can the body compensate? Answer, by becoming more irregular so that the heart rate will increase, because faster rates are usually (but not always) more regular.

I noticed I was getting spells of AF/pre-AF when I was on a tiny amount of bisoprolol, so I stopped it. The bisoprolol was making my heart rate far too low -- especially at night. I now use bisoprolol only as PIP.

[Kapoole]

Whats the difference between palpitations and af please

[CDreamer in reply to Kapoole]

See BobD’s post above

The word palpitations just means that somebody is aware of their heart beatin