Just curious if others who take beta blockers find they are unable to walk even a few minutes when taking beta blockers. I am 2 weeks post ablation and try to avoid beta blockers because they stop me in my tracks but if pulse is reading high I feel I need to take one and then I can't even walk to the shops whereas without them I can walk for 30 mins no problem. I've tried most beta blockers.
Is this common and what do others do ?
That is a very strange problem. I take metropolol and have had 3 ablations and never have I had an experience like yours.
Guess we are not all the same but docs seem to tread us as if we are.
Actually this is not at all an unusual problem and one which has affected me and many others on this forum.
Can I suggest that perhaps you start with the very lowest dose and persevere to allow your body time to adjust when you really feel the need to take them.
It seems that Bisoprolol is a common culprit here and some have found Metoprolol a better substitute. Something you will need to discuss with your medical adviser when normal service is resumed....
Keep safe!
Years ago I took Atenolol with no problems (heart attack 20 years ago) so presumably my body has changed somewhat . Docs seem addicted to prescribing beta blockers for all heart patients .
I was prescribed bisoprol the withdrawal even after a couple of weeks was awful couldn’t get off it so changed to atenolol which I tolerated better and have now been off 8 weeks thank goodness . You are right . Walk in the cardiology door almost certain to come out on bisoprolol
when I was first diagnosed in 2017 I found this happened with all types of beta blockers that were prescribed for me. I think they tried 3 or 4 different ones starting with bisoprolol at various doses and I couldn't even manage to walk downstairs. For some reason the GP insisted I keep trying them and eventually before my first CV they found low dose digoxin - having started on a higher dose worked. I was only on that for 3 weeks before my CV which was successful and have never been on them since. I have since had 3 CV's the last of which is still working and am waiting for an ablation - should have been next month but doubt I will get one this year now.
Same here. Even with symptoms the docs still kept giving me them. Digoxin took my BP to 175/125 so I stopped that also.
Have you tried taking them at night then side effects mostly happen while you sleep, I take mine last thing and manage much better than taking them in the morning.
Years ago I woke up out of breath on them which put me off them. Since then I only use them when having an arrythmia / high pulse
Change to diltiazem if possible.
What dose do you take? Even the lowest 1.25 of bisoprolol was too much for me to take daily and now I only take it if I have an AF episode and the heart rate is still pretty fast and irregular after I've taken flecainide as a PIP. We are all different and it seems that, like many of us, you don't get on with beta blockers as they tire you out. Do try to get your doctor to suggest something that would suit you better and improve your QoL! I'm hoping to find that eventually too!
Hi I tried them all for bp before having AF.I would say the same as you.I am now down as having an allergy to them .I would have put on so much weight it would not have helped with bp. Hope you can find an alternative.
Docs seem to use a one size fits all policy. I have 50mg Atenolol prescribed but I can't take it daily because I can't do anything outside sitting in a chair when I take it so I only take it as needed but I get "who told you to stop taking it?" from docs who seem to think we can't stop something even when it effects our QOL. In hospital I say I am allergic to beta blockers but they are at a loss what to do when I have a fast heart rate. Anyway I don't think I'll be going anywhere near a hospital for the foreseeable future.
12.5mg of atenolol is equivalent to 1.25mg bisoprolol 50mg atenolol is a big dose if you are sensitive to beta blockers not everyone is the same
Yes I had this experience when on Bisoprolol, it feels like walking through treacle, I believe it is because your blood is not being pumped properly round your body quickly enough, therefore oxygen doesn't reach your organs and you can hardly walk a few steps. It is an awful feeling. I had to change beta blockers a couple of times till I found one which did not make me feel this level of fatigue. I am on Atenolol which changed my life. I also took Flecainide which did not have this side effect. Go back to your medical professional and ask to change the betablocker.
Can I ask what strength atenolol are you on ? I tried Metoprolol & Bisoprolol & Digoxin and now 50mg atenolol. My BP is normal without beta blockers but it seems they want me to have low blood pressure.
Some years ago I was given a beta blocker for high bp and I only took one and collapsed couldn’t use my legs and had a bad headache my dr said you must never take beta blockers again I’d had an allergic reaction so I was given losartan which was fine until 3 yrs ago when I was diagnosed as having afib and the consultant I saw then gave me verapamil which seems to be working ok for me maybe they could give you that instead
Interesting you say that. I was given veramipril on one visit to A&E for atrial flutter a couple of months ago because I wouldn't take a beta blocker and I don't remember any side effects but it was never given to me again . I left hospital the next day and never saw that doctor again. Will give some thought to what you say. Many thanks.
I am a little late with my reply. I take Nevibolol at the highest dose of 10mg. Mostly for my BP but also for my AF. It is the only beta blocker that doesn't affect performance like the others. It calms the irregular heart rhythm. It did take a while to get to 10mg but well worth it. All the other beta blockers wiped me out.
Those we're the feelings i was getting when i was on 100mg 2x's a day with both metropolo & Flecanaide, i would get winded with just trying to walk a few feet. With my doctors permission i cut them both down to half 50mg 2x's a day and what a difference. I average 2 miles a day on my treadmill at 3.2 speed from beginning to end and i feel great, no issues at all. been on them for a longtime now....hope that helps.
Beta Blockers?
Beta blockers 
Beta Blockers
Flecainide and beta blockers
Beta blockers
