Light headed palpitations short of breath.

[celticlady]

Not sure if I'm on the right forum but recently had all above symptoms ending in A&E. GP put me on bisoprolol 1.25 which has helped palps but I'm so light headed and s.o.b still. Varies every day some days-like today can't drive. Only been on them 2weeks. Got cardio phone consultation next Saturday as all this is new to me. I'm 65 and have had the odd palpitations randomly but not often. Recent ones were worrying with dizzy spells. Not been diagnosed awaiting all usual tests not even sure it's AF. Any personal experiences would be appreciated. I've been on the BHF forum and had various helpful comments on bisoprolol and it's pros and cons. Many thanks

[Desanthony]

Bisoprolol can have this effect though so does AFib sometimes. You are on a low dose as I was but could never get on with them. Maybe your cardio will suggest a change to a different medication which may help.

[etheral]

Possibilities are numerous and some urgent. What did they find in a+e?

[celticlady in reply to etheral]

After 4.5 hours BP 157/95. ECG normal

[etheral]

You could bein Congestive Heart Failure and have a Ventricular Arrythmia. This is worse case. You need to be diagnosed ASAP.

[Loafinabout]

I had same experience as Desanthony.

[Overeating in reply to Loafinabout]

I kept turning up to A&E as I was not well so I was put on Bisoperal

[Bonnie58]

Hi there, I couldn't tolerate even a smallish dose of Bisoprolol for the same reasons as you, I was eventually switched to Verapamil which has worked better for me after dose adjustments. Good luck, you will get there x

[bassets]

As everyone says you need to be diagnosed sooner than later bit wishing you the best.

[Singwell]

You need more information. Track any symptoms between now and the telephone consultation- when, how long, any triggers and the sensations. If possible, get hold of a watch that tracks your heart rate, or a device called Kardiamobile. This does a little ECG. Many of us have them. You can get one off Amazon and use it together with an App on your phone. There are other meds than Bisoprolol but only a cardiologist can prescribe these. Have you had your Chad Vas-2 score done? At 65 and being female I'd look into that. It calculates risk of stroke. That's IF you have AF. You might have something more benign as there are lots of arrhythmia that are less harmful. You can do the Chad Vas yourself or ask your GP.

[Fullofheart]

I couldn't tolerate bisoprolol at all, even on the low dose that you are on. HR went down but dizziness increased and breathlessness was dreadful. I did have both with AF but not as bad as when on bisoprolol. Had to take time off work and use asthma pump frequently (was prescribed one when they put me on the bisoprolol). Once I came off it (with doctors advice) dizziness and breathlessness improved. I would say that seeing a cardiologistis the next important step for you so you can ask questions, get answers and look at different options going forward. There will be options!

[Shcldavies]

You will see from the replies that we are all different and there are many conditions that may require different treatments (Af is one of many). If I were to guess and I mean it is only a guess, I would say your palpitations are turning into Atrial Flutter (not AF) which is making you dizzy.

Use your meeting with the consultant as an opportunity, you need to know what condition you have and you may need an EP to provide the diagnosis. I am not being derogatory to Cardiologists (they are all geniuses) and many are also EPs, however the vast majority with your symptoms have "electrical" problems not structural problems that often can be difficult to diagnose and without the proper diagnosis you may not get the proper treatment.

I guess you would have had an e.c.g. and bloods taken at A&E and consequently put on Bisoprolol (the first line treatment for most arrhythmia) by the duty consultant who may or may not have consulted with an EP first. If you did have an e.c.g. it would have ruled out Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome which can be dangerous if not treated promptly.

The bad news is that even with the correct diagnosis, getting the proper treatment can still involve a lot of trial and error and the medication can have side effects or make the condition worst. That said an EP has the competence and knowledge to provide you with the best possible treatment based on what he knows about your symptoms and the tests they do.

The good news is that your condition is almost certainly not life threatening (though as you know it does effect your quality of life), its unlikely to be caused by the structure of your heart and your heart is unlikely to be susceptible to Cardiac Arrest (as it would have happened by now).

As your condition is unlikely to be life threatening and given the workload of our NHS cardiologist/EPs, your condition is unlikely to be a priority to them. You may have to push for the tests you need (EP diagnosis of your e.c.g. and bloods are the minimum) to get a confirmed diagnosis which will provide the best chance of getting the treatment right first time. In my experience they will say you have SVT (there are many types of SVT each with different treatments), give you Bisoprolol and hope things improve, which it does for some but can cause a delay in you receiving the correct treatment for you condition.

In the mean time the following may alleviate your symptoms:

Drink plenty of water, (no substitutes) at least 1.5 ltrs a day (no more than 2.5 ltrs)

Stay stress free (as much as you can)

Try and get at least 8 hrs sleep

Eat a banana a day

Eat an avocado every 2 to 3 days

Magnesium supplement help many (not magnesium oxide as its difficult to absorb and will make you have trips to the bathroom)

Vitamin D supplement may be useful

If your low on iron, then iron supplements are a must

Do not take too much caffeine - I would avoid it for a time

Do not take too much sugar (and no sugar alternatives as they are much worst), in fact best to avoid sugar.

No alcohol (or very little) until diagnosed

If possible allow at least 12 hrs between you last meal of the day and your first the next day.

Limit processed food

Hope your consultation goes well

[celticlady in reply to Shcldavies]

Thank you so much for the time you have taken....really appreciate this. Not sure what EP is but I know it could be a tricky diagnosid withmy symptoms. Lucky here in Leeds with good cardio hospital. I've been off caffeine for years-hrart palps and not drinking at all now ...keeping a good eating regime and taking walks etc. I've noticed if I sleep well symptoms are better next day but if light sleep feel worse...I read that BBs affect melatonin. We'll see and will update when have tests etc. Best wishes

[Ppiman]

I’m a bit surprised that your GP didn’t give you an ECG. Your symptoms could be from atrial fibrillation (or atrial flutter), both of which would show if you are still symptomatic.

You could, if you have some spare cash, buy a Kardia, a little device that runs a good quality ECG just by touching two electrodes (or three with the latest model). That will show you if you have various heart conduction issues including AF or palpitations (called ectopic beats or premature contractions, usually “PVC”s (ventricular) or “PAC”s (atrial)).

If the cardiologist thinks it necessary, you might eventually be given an echocardiogram or stress MRI to see if there is any other phial issues with the heart.

Steve

[Shcldavies]

Your welcome, I know how difficult these early stages can be. An EP (electrophysiologist) deals with the electrical signals that make our heart work. A Cardiologist deals with the structure of the heart (heart attacks etc). Doctors/GPs know the basics but you need an EP for your condition, many doctors consult with EPs before handing out Meds.

[celticlady in reply to Shcldavies]

I guess the cardiologist will pass me over to the EP if need be...must have had loads of people with my symptoms. A&E inconclusive did ECG normal as in GP surgery. Need more thorough tests. Your reassurance is greatly appreciated as I am an anxious person...am following all of your recommendations already .

[Janith]

I have afib … controlled fairly well with certain meds. However, l still “had” palpitations … l researched hawthorn solid extract … wow! What a great product! I take the one from Wise Woman Herbals. Zero palpitations! Simply take 1/8th of a teaspoon … three times per day … l take once per day and it seems to totally stop the weird palpitations … and if you feel them coming on take one dose which is such a tiny amount. My afib seems to start with palpitations so l figure no palpitations no afib! So far so good!!!

[lovetogarden]

Can’t speak to bisoprolol, but this is exactly how I’ve felt whenever I’ve been on metoprolol - similar med. Just can’t tolerate more than the tiniest dose, which isn’t effective for stopping my arrhythmias. Hope you can find another med that will help and doesn’t have those side effects,

[marcyh]

I get very lightheaded and fuzzy with my AF episodes because I get very short of breath. I only have a few minutes to take my PIP and lie down. I cannot walk around or I end up on the floor to avoid passing out. I just hope I'm not out in public or driving a car when it happens. So far I've been home.