Hi, am new to this site so forgive me if similar posts elswhere. Finally diagnosed with AF having suffered 3 to 4 episodes a year. Put on Bisoprolol 5 mg for last 8 months now on 3.75mg also apaxiban 5 mg. I have a v.low resting heart rate usually around 40 to 45.(not as a result of meds).
Now feeling shattered and so tired especially in afternoon (didn't really feel too bad when meds started). Also now got ED.
I am 65 years old.
Welcome to our world Bobbo. Bisoprolol is well known for this sort of problem. If you use the search box at top right you will find SO many posts about it.
Do you mean you had a slow heart rate before going on Bosoprolol?
Yep.....and I am no Olympic athlete and didn't feel shattered as I do now.
Maybe you are like me with dysfunction of the sinoatrial node.
Is the treatment worse than the condition? How fast is your AF?
Certainly (touch wood) no further episodes, maybe the price to pay for that. My AF was I believe around 180 when measured.
I don’t think a beta blocker will stop you having AF, just slow it down. With slow heart rate preceding the betablocker and periodic fast AF, it might be worth a cardio work up if you haven’t already
Have had echos, stress echos, angiogram....... nothing showing.
I took Bisoprolol for over four years and also found that breathlessness, fatigue, wobbly legs and general weariness got worse over the years. After complaining of these symptoms at each cardiology review - to very little avail, I saw my GP and explained how the symptoms were ruining my quality of life.
He prescribed Nebivolol and I really feel like a new person. Read up as much as you can, there are many threads as Bob suggests and ask your doc to review your meds, explaining how you feel. I understand ED can be a side effect of beta blockers for some men - also worth discussing.
Here’s hoping for a better quality of life for you.
Some questions, if you don't mind, as I put a lot of my ills down to Bisoprolol as well:
What dosage of Nebivolol are you on?
Do you know if it is more expensive than Bisoprolol and commonly dispensed?
Is this specifically for your AF or another heart condition/BP?
Such a useful Forum and thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge...
I’m taking 2.5mg Nebivolol and I have AF but no other ailments. I also take Flecainide and Apixaban. Nebivolol is more expensive than Bisoprolol but oddly the 5mg dose is much cheaper than the 2.5mg. This link will give you the full picture of pricing to the NHS:
bnf.nice.org.uk/medicinal-f...
I have normal BP which is usually low, so I need to keep my salt and water intake up. I notice a slight drop in heart rate as my dose of Bisoprolol was only 1.25mg.
PS should have said that Bisoprolol costs around 48p per month (search on that link) against £18 for 2.5mg Nebivolol but this reduces to the same price as Bisoprolol if the doctor prescribes 5mg to be cut in two - 89p for a month’s supply.
Thanks for this. It is a pity more EPs and Cardiologists are unwilling to listen to patients' issues with their prescribing regimes.
I used to take Flecainide and Bisoprolol but am only now on 1.25mg of Bisoprolol but still get dizzy and lightheaded days.
Is Nebivolol a new drug?
Not sure how old Nebivolol is, but I can see why Bisoprolol is so widely used - especially if the 2.5mg prices are compared.
It was my GP who changed me from Bisoprolol - I still have to hear what my cardiologist thinks of the change - that’s next month’s joy.😃
Hi and welcome. I am on bisoprolol and 47 yrs old. Some days I have to go to bed in the pm as I am so tired on these tablets. Breathlessness is a defo side effect.
Thank you the pricing link Finvola,more ammo for my upcoming meds review ref bisoprolol.Away for a few days at the moment in Stratford. Did you say Nebivolol only works on the heart not lungs etc as bisoprolol does?
Best wishes x
I read that in one of the information leaflets and posted a link to it. At the moment, I haven’t found the post but will look when I come back from town.
Found it -
Hi - you should discuss with your GP reducing to 2.5mg and hopefully 1.25mg in time. I’m on 1.25mg now but was put on 5mg originally. I still find the effects of the 1.25 exhausting / I’m definitely going to investigate an alternative drug - best wishes
Hi, I am a 67 year old male, I too take 2.5mg Bisoprolol to control the HR and BP (was on lisinopril until AF diagnosed), was average 48bpm on a 24hr monitor, lowest at 40bpm.
I changed to taking it at night and feel brighter and more alert than before, BP remains fairly constant at 115/80. Along with the tamulosin for enlarged prostate it probably contributed to my ED.
Hi Bobb52
I too have a heart beat of around 41-45 sometimes even as low as 39. I told my GP but he doesn't seem too worried, but I have never had this low a rate before my ablation. I expect we feel so tired because our blood isn't pumping round our bodies as fast as it should???? My ectopic beats and palpitations have returned as well and also the occasional fast irregular heartbeat.
I do hope you feel better.
Bisoprolol and AF episode
Thank you all for replies, re Bisoprolol. Back in AF today ! 
Bisoprolol withdrawal
