BLOOD PRESSURE TOO LOW but HEART RATE TOO HIGH - SHOULD I TAKE BISOPROLOL or NOT?

[Ruza2020]

Hi kind people,

I hope someone is able to suggest, or at least share their own experience about the problem I’m having right now.

Some background. Like I said in my previous post - I am 73 year old woman. I was diagnosed with paroxysmal Afib about 18 months ago. Afib episodes have become very frequent and they last long - sometimes weeks.

About three weeks ago my Electrophysiologist put me on 2.5 Bisoprolol, once a day, and Flecainide 50 mg twice a day. I did not do well taking Bisoprolol, especially if I were in NSR - so I continue to take only Flecainide as prescribed. Flecainide kept my heart in sinus rhythm for three weeks.

This morning I woke up at 5:15 AM drenched in sweat - felt like a worse hot flush I have ever had. The body heat continued to persist for at leas 20 minutes.

When I made an attempt to get up I almost passed out. I managed to measure my blood pressure and heart rate. BP was 86/62 and resting heart rate was 130.

It is 12:45 PM right now, and NO change in my condition. I, so far, have taken 100 mg of Flecainide (I double the dose) with the hope it would convert my heart to NSR.

Since my blood pressure is low I fear to take Bisoprolol, and yet I suspect Bisoprolol would lower my heart rate.

Should I take bisoprolol with Flecainide even though my Blood Pressure is very low, and I feel extremely weak, and I feel I will pass out.

This Afib episode is wild - I hardly can move, because if I do my heart rate goes as high as 210.

Thank you so much for being there.

Cheers.

[pottypete1]

Whilst there are a number of regular members of this forum who have a vast experience of AF few of us are medically qualified.

I have a view but for the above reasons I think that if you feel you can wait until tomorrow you should contact your Arrhythmia Support nurses or if possible your EP for guidance.

Don’t change your medication dose, try and relax.

If you get any kind of chest pains then call 999 if it is really bad or 111 if you feel that might be more appropriate.

Pete

[Buffafly]

I agree with the others but should mention that BP machines are not reliable if you are in AF. Also you should not take flecainide alone as it can be proarrhythmic and that may be the problem - it happened to me. Too late now so I think get medical advice ASAP 💜

[Palpman]

I would not take my BP when in arrhythmia as the Atrials can beat too fast to pump blood effectively into the ventricles.

The ventricles have no time to wait for it to get filled completely before pumping.

If in fast AFib then blood will gravitate into the ventricles as the Atrials merely vibrate.

Your cardiologist gave you 2 tablets. One for rate control and one for rhythm control. Take them both as prescribed.

Only take your BP when in NSR and if too low then contact your cardiologist to lower your Bisoprolol.

[Barb1 in reply to Palpman]

Palpman. I have always taken my BP tablets when in AF. I dont have instructions to take certain medications when in AF and certain when in SR.

[Palpman in reply to Barb1]

I did not say you take certain meds when in AFib and certain when not.

Take as prescribed but take your BP when in NSR only.

Read my post again.

[Barb1 in reply to Palpman]

That's what I mean. I have never heard of taking BP meds only when in SR. I am in persistent AF and take my BP medication as instructed just as when I was in SR

[Barb1 in reply to Barb1]

Or do you mean not take but measure your BP. That makes sense.

[cuore]

You say, "they last long - sometimes weeks." The definition of persistent is longer than 7 days. Are you saying you get to persistent, then convert to sinus, and your heart has done that several times?

[Buffafly]

How are you today?

[Stobban]

The Bisoprolol will bring down your heart rate depending on the strength, but first, be smart and ring your doctor for advice..