AF at weekend

[Carol70]

I had a frightening episode of AF on Saturday. Phoned 111 and I ended up in hospital A&E for about 9 hours. NSR returned about 15 hours afterwards. First time this has happened in about 6 months. My heart rate is usually 60 due to my pacemaker keeping my heart from going too slow. It doesn’t help when AF decides to take over. Does anybody else have this happen. It was suggested by the A&E doctor that I contact my own GP and ask for the bisoprolol dosage to be raised. I take 2.5mg in the morning and 2.5mg at night. Does anyone take more Bisoprolol than 5mg per day. Thank you for listening to me,

[reinaway]

When I was on Bisoprolol I was taking 10mg a day. I had to change to another BB because of it causing disturbing dreaming at night. It did the job though and kept AF at bay.

[Suesouth]

I take 5mg in the morning and 2.5 at bedtime, just find I get very tired!

[Bluetonic]

I was on 12.5mg a day. I was a zombie though and could barely function on that dose. (Yes I know it's higher than the recommended 10mg per day maximum but could not get my HR down from 140bpm at rest on lower dose)

[AFCyclist]

I also have a pacemaker to stop my heart rate dropping below 50bpm and also had an AF episode last weekend. I did my normal trick of getting on my bike and cycling up a hill which normaly gets me back in NSR. This did not happen this time so I was getting ready for another trip to A and E on Sunday when I went back into NSR whilst sitting down on Saturday evening. My EP has previously said that he thinks I need a further ablation to address any new pathways that may have occurred since my cryoablation some years ago. I am on 40mg Sotalol twice a day.

[Singwell]

My only concern would be with a relatively low HR already a higher dose of Bisoprolol would drop you even further making you tired and lethargic possibly. There are a few people on the forum who've had Pace and Ablate procedure and I too wondered if Ablation had been considered in your case. Ask if you could have an appointment with a cardiologist to see if you could have options explained to you.

[Lal531]

Hi Carol, the answer is yes, I take 10mg each morning and touch wood, nothing now for nearly 8 years. I know it's the maximum recommended dose but hey ho! keeps me ticking over (no pun intended)

Cheers

Anth

👍

[violconsort]

Carol, I would suggest making an appointment (if possible!) to see/speak to your GP. There are two issues here: should you increase your dosage above 5mg, and should you take the full dosage at the same time, be it morning or night? I have been suffering from Afib for c11 years and during that period have gradually increased my dosage from 2.5mg to 7.5mg(for the last 5 years). I am fortunate not to suffer from any side effects, such as drowsiness during daytime, so the quality of my lifestyle is not being undermined. Very occasionally, I may suffer an arrhythmia attack whereupon I would take an extra 2.5mg(no more!) and my condition would stabilise within 6 -12 hours, avoiding the need to visit my nearest A and E. Finally, like you I used to split my Bisoprolol tablets at opposite ends of the day, but found it to be more beneficial to take them together in the morning rather than at night. Hope this helps.

[TO383Y]

Hello Carole.Sorry for your condition.For some time I took 7.5 mg of Bisoprolol,after reduced to 5 mg,and now to 2.5 mg.

I have been in permanent AF for many years.

I advise you to speak with yr GP to find the right dose x you. Good luck.

Antonio