Can’t get a breath

[Caradomben]

Hi I don’t know if anyone has this feeling at time like I can’t get a deep breath . I have a very slow pulse (45 bpm resting) and am on flecainide 50 Mgs and bisoprolol 1.25 . My cardiologist is aware of the slow pulse and does not seem concerned but I am wondering if this feeling comes from my pulse being so slow.

[Hidden]

My experience of Bisoprolol (7.5 mgs daily) was getting breathless on slight exertion. But if you have been on the same medication for a while, and only recently developed this breathless feeling, I suggest you see your GP.

[Caradomben in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply . I think I might discuss it with my GP especially as my pulse is so low

[Kellyjelly]

Do you ever recall having that feeling before taking bisoprolol? If not it would seem it’s down to the beta blocker. I have had that feeling lots of times and it’s usually just before my heart starts racing and I start burping.

[Hidden]

I quite often get it but I don’t take a beta-blocker or a calcium channel blocker. Was on Nebivolol but as my pulse was quite often in the 40s it was changed for Felodipine but that filled me up with fluid.

[jeanjeannie50]

I get it at times and I think it's all just part of AF. You suddenly become aware that you're shallow breathing and then taking a deep breath is not easy. Try breathing deep into your stomach (not chest) and let your stomach come out as you breathe in. Are you in permanent AF? I wonder why you're taking Flec and Bisoprolol when your pulse is so low, because they will surely make it lower. If not I wonder if you should speak to your GP re taking those two drugs just when you have an AF attack.

Jean

[JanetL80]

Hello I was On 1.25mmg Bisoprolol and my heart rate was in the 40’s. When I felt tired I felt really exhausted and had to rest. I was put on it for shortness of breath but it made me worse. Went back to see Dr after 6 months and he took me off of it and now I am feeling more normal, still have shortness of breath but am feeling more alive. I have permanent AF and just take Edoxaban anticoagulant now.

[solarjdo69]

I too was prescribed Metropolol which is in the same family of drugs. I could barley walk across the room shortly after taking one and my pulse was frequently 42-56 which is quite low from my "normal" of 72-95. If it were me I'd consider not taking the bisoprolol for a day or two but you should also speak with your physician about it. I recall the shortness of breath feeling as well.

Good luck.

[Caradomben in reply to solarjdo69]

Thank you fir your reply x

[Goldfish7]

I had this when I was on 5mg bisoprolol which lowered my pulse to around 50bpm whilst up and about and similar to yours overnight which I feel may have worsened my PAF frequency (all overnight). I still get quite breathless regularly when undertaking 'light' exercise but have a more normal pulse now I'm on 1.25mg bisoprolol. At last I feel I can take a deep breath. I'm hoping that my last ablation has worked as I'm desperate to get off bisoprolol due to this and disrupted sleep cold hands and feet issues.

However, if you have been on this medication at this level for a while and the symptoms have only started I would check with your GP/specialist.

[Caradomben in reply to Goldfish7]

Thank you fir your comments

[bugswhiskers]

Hallo Caradomben. I've been taking Bisoprolol and Flecainide for six years, and like you I have a resting pulse rate in the mid forties. It really used to frighten me because I thought my heart was going to stop, but none of the cardiologists I've seen seem to be bothered by the slow pulse. I sometimes get the feeling that I can't take a deep breath, and it can be quite distressing, but in my case I think it's caused by anxiety. Could it be anxiety in your case?

[Caradomben in reply to bugswhiskers]

Thank you it’s reassuring to know someone had the same symptoms and the same medication