Drop in pulse rate

[Bee-Honest]

Since starting Bisoprolol my pulse has dropped to between 40 - 50, used to be around 70. Feeling quite light headed at times.

[BobD Volunteer]

Then the bisoprolol is doing what it says on the tin.

You don't mention what doseage you are taking and since we are all different you may need to discuss with your doctor reducing the daily dose.

AF is a long journey and finding what works for you is half the battle. You need to be proactive and find a sympathetic doctor who listens to you and work with them for your benefit.

[jeanjeannie50]

Please let your GP know what your pulse rate is with these pills. He may suggest reducing the dose.

Jean

[DevonHubby1]

My wife experiences similar effects of Bisoprolol. The GP has adjusted her dose (ranges from 1.25 to 3.75) a number of times to balance between reducing her PAF episodes and not dropping her HR too far. Main thing is to keep an eye on your HR and discuss concerns with GP.

[Bee-Honest in reply to DevonHubby1]

Thank you for your replies. I'm on 5mg daily, and it has made me feel lethargic and sleepy. Yes I hope to speak to a GP soon!

[Auriculaire]

That seems to be a standard dose given by a lot of docs. Twice I was put on this dose by hospital cardiologists. The first time I felt like a zombie after about 10 days on this dose and the dose was reduced. After about 6 months my own cardiologist said I could come off altogether. The second time was when I went into afib after major surgery - not uncommon in older people . I just reduced the dose myself as soon as I was back in NSR as I had no intention of suffering the side effects . If you have been prescribed this for PAF then you need to weigh up whether you want a reduced QOL all the time you are not in afib . Bisoproplol is supposed to have some anti arrythmic effect but it's main purpose is rate control. If your heart rate when not in afib is moderate to low then lowering it further can lead to some quite unpleasant side effects . If a rate control drug is essential then there are others that can be tried. Many people find beta blockers make them sleepy and lethargic during the day and give them insomnia or vivid dreams at night - a vicious circle.

[Stellastent]

Back in Sept 2021 I had a stent placed, in my LAD due to 90% blockage. My right artery is 100% blocked but the body being the amazing thing that it is, created small channels on the right to feed the heart. Yep I was, as doc said, days away from knocking on heavens door. The ER had me on amarodion 600mg daily, bisopropol 5mg twice daily and vastarel as well as cardio Aspirin. After the stent they added Plavix. Now, my blood pressure was always normal to low..this combo dropped me so low that when I stood up I fell down. After 4 weeks of this I went and spoke to my cardio and he apologized profusely for not reading my file and noting all drugs I was on...I also take metformin for diabetes type 2.

He immediately told me to reduce and stop amarodion over 10 days and same with Bisopropol.

It took about 2 days after stopping it all and I felt human again.

I take 100mg of amarodion only when AF kicks in which isn't often or when I've been working hard in the gardens, trimming hedges etc.

I detest Amarodion and it's a nasty , nasty drug, but it does what it's made for and at the rate I take it, I've shown no damage to thyroid or lungs or any of the other damaging things it does. The Bisopropol had me on my knees , since stopping my HR has been what it use to be...normal to low. You truly need to self advocate these days, ask questions and don't be afraid to push home what you feel with these doctors. Half of them don't care and the rest are so in demand that at times they are remiss...and they don't listen and treat us like an assembly line in that what works for one works for all. Not true. Everyone of us has a unique problem and it should be looked at on an individual basis. Talk to your cardio and ask about reducing the dosage.

[Bee-Honest in reply to Stellastent]

Thank you so much, good to get other sufferers opinions.