Breathlessness on effort ( but not always)

[Lilypocket]

Two subjects: Pre Premature Ventricular contractions ( not a typing error my cardiologist told me I had those during my ECG today)

Breathlessness going up a hill ( but not everytime). Take 3.75 Bisoprolol and Flec 200 slow release. ( My cardiologist says these don't cause that - hmmm)

I'd be grateful for any comments or insights. Thanks!

[Palpman]

Normally an hour after I have taken my Flecainide I get very tired and somewhat breathless.

The breathlessness is postural as it occurs mainly when I tie my shoelaces or climb up steps. It also causes some ectopics for a few minutes. Walking on the flat for hours on end is fine.

I have also noticed that if my HB drops below 50 then I get breathless and feel sleepy.

Most of the fibers here have PVC's as do you. They are very common and occur as extra strong beats in the ventricles and are mostly harmless.

PAC' are the same but occur in the Atrium and are also harmless.

[Lilypocket in reply to Palpman]

Hi

Yes I know about PVC's ( before I changed from Sotalol to Flecainide I was plagued by at least a thousand PVCs a day). But now have some PACs that I don't feel - yippee! But my cardiologist said I had Pre- premature ACs. They are not full blown PACs but are a pre anomaly not fully understood by cardiologists ( I live in France). So I just wondered if anyone had heard of this. But I think you are right it is probably these critters that are usually discreet in my case but are worsened by climbing a hill or sometimes stairs even. But some people say that the meds cause this ( which I'm inclined to believe ) but my cardiologist says not. Hey ho!

X

[Auriculaire in reply to Lilypocket]

Bisoprolol does make some people breathless. I think docs here in France are often pretty bad at admitting that the drugs they dish out cause side effects. I have also noticed that the info sheets that come with the drug here are not as complete re side effects as the English language ones you can find online.

[Physalis]

I think it's just Premature Ventricular Contractions.

[Lilypocket in reply to Physalis]

Hi

Thanks for reply. In fact the ECG showed they were PACs but he said I had PRE-premature ACs and it was an anomaly that was not well understood and hard to classify. I don't feel them but they kick in harder sometimes when I make an effort and I have to sit down!! That was why I wondered if the meds were in any way responsible.

X

[Physalis in reply to Lilypocket]

I googled "pre-premature ventricular contractions" and got absolutely nothing. Without the dash it came up with loads of PVCs. When I changed it to atrial I got just one which apparently said "Most pre- Premature atrial contractions occur frequently in otherwise healthy people. Indeed, they often occur in athletes whose hearts are in very healthy ..." Would take a bit of delving to find it in context on that website.

So not bad news there.

[Lilypocket in reply to Physalis]

What would we do without Google 😊 Thanks for that info! It sounded like it was something he made up but it really exists! Yes I have PACs since changing to Flec ( which I don't feel) When I was on Sotalol I had about 1000 PVCs a day which I could really feel. I don't know how athletes cope with pre- premature ACs because they make making an effort tough sometimes but perhaps it because of the meds. My heart stays at the same rhythm ( quite slow) which probably causes the PACs when I make an effort.

Thanks again for making the effort to reply - I've learnt something new 👍

Take care.

[wilsond]

Does your cardiologist take bisoprolol? If not how does he / she know how it affects you? This is what I asked my EP recently !

We then agreed that I would up my dose temporarily to address a bad run of AF and Flutter .

Bisoprolol is well known for causing side effects such as breathlessness . It is on the leaflet in the box which you could show your prescriber .

That would be my first thought.

PVCs I have no knowledge of.

Best wishes x

[Auriculaire in reply to wilsond]

It is not necessarly on the French leaflet! See my reply to Lilypocket above.

[Lilypocket in reply to wilsond]

Hi

Well I think being on this forum helps a lot to put 2+2 together to come up with answers! I believe it is the PACs combined with breathlessness due to meds which kicks in when I go up a hill. I also get very be tired sometimes for no particular reason so probably be the meds. My cardiologist is not an EP but I made an appointment on my own to see one and he pretty much approved the meds. So all in all for meds I follow my dr's advice but for working out why such and such happens based on actual experience the forum is my saviour to give me insights and answers 😊

Xx