Please has anyone had experience of calcium channel blockers?
I’ve struggled with beta blockers and it’s been suggested I try these instead .
I have AF and find the Beta blockers reduce my BP to an unmanageable level..... when I’ve never had a BP problem before, resulting in extreme lightheadedness and falling!!
My GP has given me 3 options
1.to see how I go and keep a record of my pulse
2.to try calcium channel blockers
3 to consider cardio version!
I’m now 76 and after an ablation 7 years ago, my AF has returned. I have had only 1 ‘episode’ which settled after a few hours, but I still have an irregular heartbeat, which I seem to have had on and off for years.
Sorry this is long, but it’s always helpful to hear of other’s experiences,
Many thanks!
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linc2u
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Yes I swapped from Bisoprolol to Diltiazem 60mg and after 2 weeks my resting heart rate increased to much, I gave it 4 weeks then went back to Bisoprolol. My Cardio now wants me to try Diltiazem 90mg which he thinks will work but I’m not prepared to make myself worse again so I’m still on Bisoprolol 1.25mg.
Obviously everyone is different so they may suit you but for me they didn’t work.
Calcium channel blockers work well for some people but for other not so good. I can't take them due to oedema (my feet and ankles swell so even wearing shoes is difficult) but not everybody has this.
I love mine! I take Diltiazem 180mg slow release - Zemtard in my case, but the formulae do differ so it’s worth trying an alternative. I used to take Adizem and found it affected my digestion though Slozem is fine, now changed to Zemtard by my GP. It can cause constipation but easily remedied by a healthier diet! It can also cause cold/swollen feet but that is a side effect of beta blockers too I believe. Unfortunately my BP has shot up as a result of very stressful circumstances so my GP (actually was offered a face to face!!!) has asked for daily recordings and I expect to get an extra prescription soon 😕 If you do try them be aware that you should always take the same brand because your body doesn’t like the formula changing. Best wishes ❤️🩹
Before my ablation 11 years ago, I was first in bisoprolol (bb) which I didn't get on with, then sotalol (bb) which was awful, exercise was difficult with it. Then I went to diltiazem (Slozem - ccb) which was much better. It did not affect the exercise I took (field hockey and extensive cycling).
I take Diltiazem 200mg slow release and it's usually fine. On BBs my blood pressure wasn't controlled very well actually. They also didn't stop the AF. I take the Diltiazem in tandem with an anti arrhythmia med Flecainide I've once had a BP hypo where I passed out. I was on the Diltiazem but had had a particularly bad AF episode and lost fluids and electrolytes.
So, worth a try I'd say for you. Calcium channel blockers lower the HR and also help with BP by widening the blood vessels. Only other watch points: you may get digestive issues if you take Diltiazem as it causes the oesophagul sphincter to stay more open after food. You'll also be more photo sensitive so put on plenty of sunblock or cover up on hot days.
I'm on Adizem as I have asthma. These make me rather more weray than I would otherwise b but I am used to it now and have had no other problems except being a bit constipated but a few prunes stops this.
Hi, I take Flecainide with Verapamil. I have taken them both together in various amounts over 13 years and have had no problem. I had an ablation over 4years ago and now take a low dose of both for flutter. I am 73
I had the same response to beta blockers, switched to channel blockers *Dlitiazem* 3 days in, and instant improvement. No side effects whatsoever, back to my regular BP/hr, and feeling great.Caveat, I have no other internal or cardio issues, and are not on any other drugs that may conflict
Wife was switched to CCI by GP from Bisoprolol and it increased her AF attacks to most of the day every day. Switched backbtk Bisoprolol and much better.
Thankyou so much for everyone who’s replied to me. So helpful and now I have to make a decision . I am realising what a minefield though.Best wishes all of you. X
There is a reason they are called 'calcium channel blockers', because too much calcium can send the heart into ectopics, arrhythmias, AF, etc. So rather than take such things with all their possible side effects, have a look at this carrafibdietinfo.com/
I couldn't tolerate beta blockers so switched to Diltiazem 180 extended release about a year ago. No side effects whatsoever and I would never go back. I've read here that some have an issue with feet swelling, but I've never experienced that.
I take 360 Diltiazem daily. Just upped from 240. I feel like I might be a little more tired on the 360, but it’s been gray, snowy, icy and cold here in Boston for awhile. I have noticed I’m sleeping better since I’m on the 360. Good luck!
I take Diltiazem 60mg slow release. I started on a much higher dose but fluid retention was dreadful. With the help of my GP I eventually managed to lower it to the 60mg. It works well now for me. Occasionally I need to take some diuretics if the fluid builds up again, but nowhere near as bad as it was. I was unable to tolerate beta blockers. Don’t think having asthma helped there.
Which beta blocker blocker are you taking and how much? My dr and I would like to reduce my dosage of Metoprolol. I'm taking 150 mg/ day and I would like to get back to 100 mg per day. But I have high BP and the Meto helps that. I have taken Lisinopril in the past 40 mg per day. It worked fine for me for BP, but sounds like you dont have a BP issue normally. I had to stop the Lisin because it was increasing my potassium to a level out of range and my dr was fearful that I would have heart attack.
Lastly, I just came to a realization. For those of us with AFIB issues along with BP issues, we usually have 3 drs. .....PCP, regular cardiologist, and an EP. I had to situation where all 3 drs were prescribing one or more of my heart related meds. That was causing some issues. My personal feeling is that only one dr should be doing that. So I requested that, and now my cardiologist is the only one prescribing/changing my meds, in consultation with the other 2. I feel better with that situation. Just something to think about.....
HiI started on Diltiazem early December. 180mg too much. 2.5 Bisoprolol at night away from CCB.
Within 2 hours my hbm dropped 50 from other.
NZ doesnt offer 30mg but o/s does. Ask to try 30mg but reduce Bisoprolol to 1.25.
Itsa balance.
I have permanent persistent rapid hb.
I was 186 day highest and 45 night. On Metoprolol. I was tired and breathless no energy.
Changed to Bisoprolol gently but day still high at 156
Both on monitoring 24hr thru hospital.
CCb monitoring has partially solved CONTROLLING AF. I dont feel it. Bad rib cage.
No more profuse sweating from face and NO energy.
My AF caused thru Thyroid Cancer . Discovered after a stroke in 2019.
CCB does not interfere with breathing.
No have no asthma but could not take ACE and Metroprolol. Bisoprolol is OK but did not control enough on high dose.
It is a balancing act.
So Diltiazem in NZ has a dosage of 120mg, 180, and 360mg full dose.
You sure wuld be light headed with hb at 30s! You should NOT be left there. 51hb with 180mg Diltiazem was too much. So resting went from 100-120b to 51!
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