I’ve had palpitations for years, however, the GP has never been able to trap them, in November I went for a routine ECG and was informed I was in AF, at long last it was trapped, I was so relieved as I was starting to think it was all imagined. I was sent to Ambulatory Care, another ECG, not in AF again. Doctor on duty was great, he’d seen this a few times, put me onto Apixaban and referred me to Cardiology. I’ve had another ECG, result was NSR, an Echo which came back normal, saw the Cardiologist who said if needed a pill in the pocket. Then after New Year AF came back and I’m now on Bisoprolol Fumarate 10mg daily.
I find I’m tired some days worse than others, I huff and puff going for walks, which I’ve had to cut the length down, however, I still go. I’m due another ECG next week to see if I’ll stay with my GP or back to Cardiology.
I’m very positive, it’s a nuisance, one of those things and still enjoying myself even though I’m limited.
Lovely to find a community like this 😃
Written by
Carnationmac
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Thanks very much TracyAdmin, I’m with the Glaucoma Forum as well and they have been great. It’s lovely to hear from like minded members as it stops from being isolated and thinking it’s only me that has this.
Thankfully I’m a positive person and refuse to let this and my glaucoma get me down. 🤗
Has anyone listened to your chest?If you have any fluid in you lungs or around heart this may cause breathlessness.It seems to be quite common and is easily treatable .I am not a medic but had this myself when breathless.But there nay be other reasons too causing the breathlessness.
Hi 10gingercats, thanks for your reply, yes sounded every time I go to see my GP which at the moment is once a week, thank goodness all clear. I’ve always been a huffer puffer so it’s nothing new to me. 🤗
I wish i'd seen your post earlier. I too was very breathless going up incines and in my bed. Cardiac nurse told me to take furisimide only when I felt this way. Fluid around heart or in lungs. I have never had swollen ankles. As you say there are other causes but luckily this helped me.
10mg Bisoprolol is a huge dose and would put most people into breath less mode I'm sure. It won't stop AF but should keep it slow enought not to be a problem but with that comes running through mud. Why not speak to your doctor about how you feel and see if you can reduce the dose.
Hi BobD thanks for your reply, I just been put on the 10mg this week. I’ve always been a huffer puffer and I’ve had my chest checked for fluid, thank goodness all clear, hopefully the upcoming ECG and cardiology can sort or at least drop my dose. 🤗
Hi Carnationmac, what a lovely positive post and I can see you are determined not to let AF rule your life, but to treat it as a nuisance which will sometimes impact on your feeling of wellbeing. I have had a very similar journey to yours and have also suffered most of the inconveniences you've found which go along with AF. But also like you I felt almost elated when after years, it was acknowledged that I'd been right and had PAF all along. So welcome to our world!
Hi Callendersgal, thanks for your reply, yep unfortunately I don’t think it’s going to be a quick fix, however, I’ll do as I’m told by my GP and Cardio team and maybe it will turn out as a quick fix 🤗
AF is a long journey but you have some great travelling companions here especially if you remain positive.
You certainly seem to be approaching this with a positive attitude which is great. Just bear in mind that there are alternatives to Bisoprolol, many of which tend not have to such powerful side effects. GP’s are very limited to what they can prescribed which is why it is almost always their medication of choice. Its also a very effective drug so if you are one of the lucky ones and it doesn’t impact on your quality of life then you will be fine with it. If however you find the side effects become more troublesome than your AF symptoms, then make your Cardiologist aware as they are better placed to offer alternatives. Some remain on beta blockers such as nebivolol and others do quite well on calcium channel blockers such as Diltiazem.
You may also find some helpful information by clicking on the link below.
Hi FlapJack, thanks for your reply. So far I haven’t had to much side effects just sometimes the tiredness, it gives me an excuse to have a nana nap 😊. You’re right if the side effects outweigh the AF I’ll certainly speak to my GP and Cardiologist 🤗
Hi, and welcome. Yes, thus community has really helped me on my AF journey. I don't know if you have other heart issues aside from the newly diagnosed AF but 10mg Bisoprolol as an initial dose seems quite high to me. If you feel tired and get breathless this might be why because Bisoprolol tends to slow your heart beat down. I started on 2.5mg and found my legs ached walking up a flight of stairs or uphillAlthough fine on the flat. In my case the Bisoprolol did stop the AF anyway so I switched to another drug. Why not discuss with your GP? GPs are allowed to adjust dosage of Bisoprolol because its not classed as a dangerous drug. Tell him about the breathlessness etc, ask if there's anything in your notes about the high dosage, and see if it's appropriate to adjust the level. Hope this helps, haven't read others' responses
Hi Singwell thanks for your reply. My initial dose was 2.5 and has been built up to 10. I’ve always been a huffer puffer and no other heart/lung problems just my system. GP and Cardio Team are aware. Having another ECG on Thursday so we’ll see what happens from there. 🤗
10mg!! I was started on 1.25Mg ! And that dpse made me tired ( we are all different with drugs) Seems like a huge dose to start.Did a cardiologist prescribe this??
Can you contact him/her to discuss your tiredness. Other option is GP. GPs can change rate control drugs ( mine did twice in 3 weeks)
Not medically trained , just my personal experience
Hi KMRobbo, thanks for your reply. I started on 2.5 and increased to 10. My GP and Cardio Team are aware. My tiredness is not all the time, only if I push myself to far which I’m learning not to do. I’ve got another ECG on Thursday so we’ll see what happens from there. 🤗
You'll be puffing for a few possible reasons, I guess. It could be that the AF is reducing the flow of blood from the left aorta into the left ventricle, which is having to rely on gravity and suction; possibly the AF has reduces the efficiency of the valve so there might be a bit of regurgitation; and thirdly, 10mg bisoprolol might be slowing the pulse too far for exercise demand to work properly.
It might be that you'll soon revert to NSR and be able to reduce the dose, perhaps even to 1.25mg, and maybe even on an as-need basis. Are they planning to look more closely at your heart using an echo or MRI? I'd push for the latter, if I were you, as it's the gold standard of cardiac imaging, I gather.
Another thought is for you to get hold of an Apple watch, Kardia or similar, I find those most useful.
Hi Steve, thanks for your reply. I’ve got another ECG on Thursday. I had an Echo and everything came back fine, I was supposed to get a “pill in the pocket” but unfortunately this bout of AF hasn’t stopped so GP put me on 2.5 and now increased to 10. I’ll have a word when I’m back at Cardio for the MRI and yep, I have an Apple Watch which alerts me to AF. Last ECG showed NSR the one before showed AF. I’ll see what happens on Thursday. 🤗
You sound well sorted. I think their main interest is in the left aorta and ventricle’s sizes and the competence of the valves. Since my atrial flutter in 2019, I’ve developed a feeling that there’s still a good deal of art and guesswork, as well as lots of science, to being a cardiologist. The MRI seems to give them the most comprehensive information of all, but they are the experts, of course..
I have the Apple Watch, too. It’s such a clever and practical device if a bit too scratch prone for DIYers like me. I bought myself a Kardia recently, too, as I have very little AF these days, but quite a lot of mild tachycardia.
I hope you go on okay and have a good meeting on Thursday!
Welcome to this merry band of folk carnationmacI agree with bob does seen a hefty dose. Not that I’m an expert of course!I was on 2.5 and fekt I was walking with leaded boots and puffed and cardio reduced it to 1.25 and suddenly I was more human......have a chat with doc how u feel .
Actually also another point..bisprolol does take a time to get used to it took me a couple of months
Hi Morzine thanks for your reply. I think I’m one of the lucky ones, I don’t find 10mg too bad. It has slowed me down slightly, but not impacted on my life as yet. I am being gentle on myself so maybe that’s why I don’t feel it too bad. I’m due an ECG on Thursday so I’ll see what happens after that. 🤗
I had many problems when on Bisoprolol Fumarate for about 2 years. Couldn't control BP, felt generally bad all of the time. Last straw was when hair began to fall out in scary amounts. Consulted cardiologist who took me off Bisoprolol. Withdrawal was very uncomfortable for several days. Then began taking 180 mg Diltiazem once per day. Old symptoms went away. One AFIB in a year. BP stable. Also take Flecainide 100mg twice a day. Only complaint is constant problem with constipation.
Hi Rubyray, thanks for your reply. Gosh you were put through the mill for 2years, glad all settled with change of meds. I’ll keep an eye out in case I get problems. I can get constipation if I don’t watch what I eat, I have a high cereal for breakfast, drink lots of water and eat lots of fruit, hopefully your constipation sorts for you. 🤗
Good luck with your journey into AF. My advice would be to read, read and then read some more on this forum. There is a huge wealth of information to be gleaned here, but remember that we are generally not medically qualified and you are best to get lots of differing views and try to find a balanced consensus.
Also, have a look at the Kardia Mobile device. It sounds as if you might find one of those useful. The earlier two lead version is cheaper, but can have some problems with some mobile phones or tablets, but the later 6 lead one is not a lot more money and should work with most modern Android or iOS phones/tablets.
Hi momist thanks for reply, yes the forum has some great info and lots of reading. I’ve been looking at the Kardia Mobile Device as well. I’ll have a look at the 6 lead. 🤗
G'day Carnationmac,
I was first diagnosed with paroxysmal AF in Jan 2010. The Cardio consultant put me on 5mg of Bisoprolol immediately ( along with other junk). I was told to take in the morning. At the time I was a bus driver ( still am) and when I got back to work I suddenly found myself developing random and inexplicable nose bleeds. Thought it might be something to do with the Warfarin I was put on at the same time. It was not. Eventually went and saw my GP and she consulted her book of Witches Potions and Brews .... then said take it at night. I have done so ever since without any difficulty, nosebleeds gone forever. I stayed on 5 mg for 11 years however a year ago my GP increased it to 7.5mg. It holds my daytime, active HR at around 62 to 67 bpm. No problems.
I think Bisoprolol is a dirty drug which the body accepts or rejects. Fortunately for me my body has accepted it. My latest consideration is to approach my GP about cutting it back to 6.25mg. My night time resting heart rate is dropping too low - more in the region of 47 to 51 bpm - Yep, I wear a night time tracker so I know whats happening when I am asleep.
Yes, I too am tired. In fact when I was first put on it I found it was taking me 30 minutes to walk a distance I can now do in 10 minutes. Today is fine, I still drive buses 30 to 40 hours a week, but when I am off duty I discipline myself to relax and if that means an hour or so nap in the afternoon so be it. If not I don't. I might add my AF is now well controlled, very well controlled but 4 or 5 times a year my heart chucks a bloody great wobbly. Not that bad that I need to go to A & E or even my GP but enough to pick up and get recorded by my Kardia. My control mechanism is medication and diet.
Good luck on your journey and I hope you have the successes I have had.
Hi John, thanks for your reply. I was started on 2.5 Bisoprolol and over 3 weeks it’s been upped to 10mg. Thankfully I’ve had no side effects except sometimes being tired. My AF is very unstable at the moment up and down like a yo yo, getting another ECG on Thursday and then I’ll find out what’s going to be done. I just find the AF a nuisance and so far it hasn’t stopped me from doing anything except my very long walks. Hopefully meds etc can help. 🤗
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Bradycardia, chest pain and Bisoprolol
76 years old with A F
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is it normal not to see a cardiologist with AF? 
