I am reaching out because I need some help. I was diagnosed with Afib a month ago. I was given a prescription for Apixiban, which I take 2 x daily and also Metoprolo - to take as needed. I had to take the Metoprolo yesterday because my heart went up to 135 and was also irregular. It took about 35 minutes to bring it down to 81, but my blood pressure was then 76/56. I felt horrible before and after taking it. I thought I was finished. Before I took the Metoprolo my blood pressure was only 86 over 60 which was so low due to my heart being escalated.
Does Metoprolo always bring down the heart rate and blood pressure together? (Or maybe this is something that just happened) Can someone tell me. I don’t think I can take it if it does, as my blood pressure varies too much.
Can someone tell me what it means to take “as needed”? At what level should your heart be before you take a beta blocker.- if my heart rate is in the high normal range 60 to 100, beating faster or beating harder I am thinking you shouldn't take a blocker, is this right? This is very frightening. I have no one to talk to. I would like to understand this so that I have no more scares.
I would like to understand how all of this works before I contact the cardiologist. When I left his office he said “see you next year”, but not too much was explained to me. I have read articles about proper eating, exercise and sleep but I think there is a lot more to this.
I would be grateful to hear from you. Thank you.
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kitttycat
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I’m very surprised to hear AFib is just as confusing as here in the US. I’m a Brit living in LA diagnosed 1 year ago and still as confused as ever. The most info I know is, although I’m a very healthy person I’m high risk of stroke so it Strongly advised I take the meds and do the two procedures that can fix it, 1 I call the shock treatment and the other they go in through the groin and zap. I’ve declined both so far as my gut says wait, I’ve done acupuncture for many years, there are very good ones in England go find one and give it a try it’s not a quick fix you have to have regular treatments I’m doing both and staying this way for the time being . I would say I know acupuncture is not on the. National Health still I think but if you can try it. MDs may have a fit reading this, but I’m proof it works. AFib is complicated they don’t really have the answers so why not try an alternative
thank you for your response, I am Canadian in Toronto. there are acupuncturists here I see see many adds for them. I am going to investigate this, My goal is to keep these episodes away from me. I track them for patterns, so I know what was happening before they hit me. I know before this one my heart was feeling off kilter for days with small flutters. My hope is that I can get a handle on i -thanks again.
good luck, my feeling is there is a simple solution, you’ll find the acupuncturist will not be so negative about AFib as your average MD. I e the only way is blood thinner etc etc and of course the older you are there is no way out, it’s part of the aging process. Read about Larry Bird the basketball player, with AFib, I read about it a few days ago quite by accident very interesting. I have family in Chatham do you know of it
Hi, thanks again, Yes I know of Chatham Ontario- its a few hours north of Toronto. Although I have not been there, many people come here to work from there. I believe it is quite a nice town take care and thanks again.,
😂 see I forget how big Canada is, I went for 2 weeks years ago to Seattle, looking at the map I txd my brother saying I’m not far from you maybe we can meet for lunch 😂😂😂😂😂😂.
Yes and it once happened to my son, he was in Australia with his girlfriend (now wife) from England, to attend the wedding of her brother (originally from England) who was living there. A good friend of her brother, sitting at the same table as my son, was from the same area of Toronto where we live. and happened to know my other son and other friends from our area and even knew who I was.
😁 yes I should know better. Here in LA when hearing my British accent and from London, people ask me do I know such and such from there. At the moment people are saying sorry to me about the Queen, it’s sweet but I have no connection to the Royals at all ….
Lol...I know eh...mostly Americans are the ones who blissfully fell asleep during international demographics class...but "no sorry don't know him" is far better than a quick sarcastic Canada lesson..."sorry but we are the second largest country in the world, with 33.5 million people spread out over 9,984,670 km2, and I live 2,000 kms from Toronto, so no, not likely"
My favourite question from my southern cousins..."what is the main difference between Canada and the USA..."well" I respond..."you fought the British for your freedom and won it...we asked for it and were given it."
this is interesting to learn. I take magnesium and it certainly is calming. what other supplements do you take with it. Can you share this, I am learning that some people can keep this "away from their doorstep" and this would be my goal.
I had a Cardioversion for Afib. It only worked for 12 days. I didn’t want to go through it again so I started research and began taking these supplements. It takes approximately 8 weeks to show benefits. 7 weeks later, I was Afib free the natural way and have been for 15 months now. I am grateful for each day I am Afib free.
I take Vitamin D3, B12, C, Wild Alaskan Fish Oil, Co-Q10, Magnesium Taurate and Glycinate , Hawthorn Berry and 1/2 banana each day.
My Cardiologist told me my heart is fine so to keep doing what I am doing because it worked. Most Doctors are not experienced with Supplements and not enough trials have been done.
do you take MAGNESIUM Glycinate? How much do you take? I take MAGNESIUM taurate as well but not the Glycinate … and have occasional breakthroughs. Thank you. Jan
Many people are deficient in Magnesium. The body excretes 40-60 % in urine. Also Afib causes much stress. Chelated Magnesium Glycinate helps stress and is easy on your stomach. Good Luck!
BTW, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and needs to be taken with fat. Hawthorn Berry should not be taken with Vitamin D at the same time. Take Vitamin D in a.m. and Hawthorn Berry in p.m.
Dee so nice to hear your story, I’m a Brit living in LA diagnosed with AFib nearly one year. Most of my life I’ve been into alternative medicine and it works for me, till I got AFib it’s like there is no other way than taking blood thinner and heart med that’s slows it down otherwise my chances of a stroke are high, or do the procedures which I call one the shock treatment if that does not hold then the other one where they go through the groin and Zapp, both do not appeal to me so I’m holding off and just doing the meds but not happy at all. Can you tell me more about yourself if you have the time, I’m sure there are lots out there like me who would like to hear ….
Congrats on living your life the natural way. It is not easy in today's world.
I studied Health and Nutrition as a college major when I was young and worked at a Securities Firm that specialized in Biotechnology. Then as a Compliance Examiner which taught me how to read research data and try to come to a conclusion. I understood from my past that Pharmaceutical Companies were out to make money. When Covid hit, I became suspicious of the vaccine being produced so quickly and FDA, CDC, Governments, Doctors pushed it vigorously on a "one size fits all" method. I found data for adverse side effects were being censored. When Physicians started pushing vaccines, my trust in them was lost which turned me into being my own doctor!
When we were forced into lockdown during Covid I started to exercise at home. I over exercised and was panting with shortness of breath. The palpitations started and hence, into Afib.
I went to Cardiologist who put me on beta blockers. I was worse with meds. The meds were increased until Afib was controlled but I couldn't breathe, had nausea, was weak, couldn't walk etc. I was against ablation. (for good reason) and chose Cardioversion. NSR only lasted 12 days. However, I did need the Cardioversion to snap me back to NSR. I believe to this day, I did not wait long enough for my heart to remodel itself and since I felt great, I went back into a regular routine.
I read data on supplements for Afib if heart does not have other issues. During my reviews of alternative treatments to Afib, I found writers used similar supplements. Most doctors are not experienced and do not want patients to take them. But it was my body, so I took a chance. It was noted supplements take approximately 8 weeks to have benefits. I added Hawthorne Berry which acts like a blood thinner and Magnesium Taurate for heart and Chelated Glycinate for stress. I used the Vitamins D3, C, and B12 with 1/2 banana. Added Wild Alaskan Fish oil with Co-Q10. Co-Q10 works better with a small dosage of Acetyl L-Carnitine. There are several writers with books on Natural alternatives for Afib. I have the authors somewhere in my home however, I just moved to Florida from NY and don't have access to that information.
I was on this forum from the onset of my Afib and still hope to read about others who have improved over time. I look forward to the day that I could read that other's improved on Supplements. Good Luck!!!
BTW, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and needs to be taken with fat. Hawthorn Berry should not be taken with Vitamin D at the same time. Take Vitamin D in a.m. and Hawthorn Berry in p.m.
I don’t take a beta blocker so can’t comment on effect but what I can tell you is that bp machines don’t work very well when you are in AF so don’t trust your reading too much, take three at intervals and then average is usual advice.
‘Take as needed’ would I think be what you did but maybe not soon enough? If you take as soon as you feel AF start then maybe your bp won’t plunge so far. Regardless of what the bp monitor said if you feel worse when you take medication then it’s maybe not the right one for you.
Hopefully someone with more experience of metoprolol will reply soon with helpful experience, best wishes ❤️🩹
thank you for your reply, I was just answerng your email and my response disappeared off the face of the earth. Its happened before. I felt very nauseous when I took the Metoprolo
Other people have been complains of the disappearing trick, very annoying.
There are other medications that do similar things so hopefully you’ll find one to suit. Bisoprolol is a common one and many people say they feel ill when first taking it but that wears off, though as you take as needed that won’t apply.
Hello again thi s is take 2 - I dont know what is going on with these emailst today. Hopefully there will be responses from people who take Metoprolo. I just know when afib hits I am totally thrown off kilter. I was even wondering if I had some other disease. I am going to try the 3 readings. Thanks again
Beta Blockers will bring both your HR and BP down - however BP is very hard to monitor when you are in AF so I would go on your symptoms. Also try the 3 readings on a machine that is calibrated to work with AF and take the average of those readings. My BP used to tank when in AF and I would then struggle to stay conscious. Stopping taking BB helped.
Can you be more specific about ‘feeling horrible’. Many people have difficulty with beta blockers, especially if your triggers are vagal related.
Beta blockers are routinely given as first line treatment for AF primarily as rate control but many people don’t have a high heart rate with AF so beta blockers may not be appropriate.
I would return to your primary care doctor first and ask more detailed questions but also read up on Beta Blockers and their affects.
Hello CDreamer, many thanks for your response. I had another episode last night and just waited it out feeling horrible,the whole time- it went on for hours. Feeling horrible: this is what I experience- clammy, hot and cold, disoriented, similar to when your blood pressure is too low, and nauseous with Metoprolo. Sounds like a good idea to find a blood pressure monitor that is calibrated to afib. My plan is to contact the cardiologist and many thanks for the link to the atrial fibrillation information. I started to look at it and there is a lot of help for everyone. Would you let me know what you take instead of BB?
Having been on this Forum for a number of years, one of the clear messages is that cardiologists have a basket of drugs for AF and their own preferences they try first. I would be straight back to your's and pester him/her until you are satisfied you haver the right prescription - both drug and daily dose.
I didn't rely on just the cardiologist and consulted Alternative Practitioners, which helped with supplements and diet/exercise changes. Also improved dental health, I was surprised this was relevant to AF. Lastly, many lifestyle changes.
Thanks for this advice, I will follow it for sure. Oddly enough I was thinking of speaking to someone else, an alternative consultand as you mentioned. Thanks again.
Hope you are feeling well. I am currently prescribed Flecainide and Metropolol as PIP. Pill in Pocket or as needed as you described. I have been on this medication for my AF for last 10 years.
I have found my happy medium in regards to Metropolol. I have been advised to take both Flecainide and Metropolol together at onset of AF.
Happy medium for Metropolol is 25mg for me. Was originally prescribed 50mg but found this floored me and pulse dropped to 40bpm or lower. The 25mg assists me to lower rate sufficiently without me nearly keeling over.
Not overly keen on any medication but QOL definitely enhanced/made a bit better by taking these medications when AF kicks in.
I had to check bottle but tablets are 50mg and I take 25mg, half a tablet. I try not to take anymore but on occasion have taken another 25mg during 24 hr period. Helps slow heart rate but side effects are rubbish.
All good. 👍 I believe there are several factors in regards to prescription of beta blockers. Individual circumstances, treating doctors/ cardiologist and maybe even country can determine beta blocker type prescribed. Some very knowledgeable persons on this site with varying experiences re Beta Blockers.
I think bisoprolol is ‘unusual’ in that it’s measurements are much smaller than other beta blockers. It’s not that others are older remedies or anything. Even at the extremely low measurements, bisoprolol is still powerful.
Hey Teresa … Just suddenly came into my mind there. It probably sounds ridiculous but a tear came into my eye and I thought … Ahh wouldn’t it be absolutely great if none of us had this miserable affliction but se la vie. XX.
It doesn’t sound ridiculous whatsoever 💐- I often feel the same, but I try and tell myself that it could be a lot worse and perhaps one day soon, they’ll find a miracle cure ( that’s quick and pain free hopefully) ….you never know 🤞
Thank you so much for telling me your story. I appreciate it. When I think of what everyone goes through it just is overwhelming. Not too many people know about Afib, I have found out. Everyone is certainly a hero. I had another episode since I posted and chose to wait it out.. I will keep working on what I need until I am satisfied.
Please, please don’t read up about your condition. The heart and the mind are very closely linked. It will not do you good to become preoccupied with your blood pressure readings and heart rate. Metoprolol is a short-acting beta-blocker, so it’s effects wear off quite quickly. 135 bpm is not overly high, so given your experience when you took the Metoprolol, when it happens again perhaps just ride it out or take half a dose. Remember, AF will not kill you but it will make you feel crap especially if you’re used to being in sinus rhythm. The hardest thing about dealing with AF is coming to terms with it and accepting that at times you will feel rubbish.
My son would agree with your 'heart and mind' attitude. He is an extreme athlete and had an ablation for AF 16 years ago .He is regularly checked with no sign of a problem. Among the many things he does, was to run the most difficult marathon in South Africa at the weekend. He has told himself he does not have AF.! I have the familial variety, all my sisters have it, but we were diagnosed in our later years. He keeps telling me, to just forget about AF and take the prescribed meds if that helps, but his cardio has had many top rugby players and other sportsmen who, are still carrying on with their sport.. Whether his attitude of telling himself he does not have it is right , I do not know, but he popped into collect something from me today, the day after the marathon, and he was feeling wonderful - he is 52!
He is spot on. Mental attitude is the key. Remember it will not kill you. It may often make you feel terrible but if you sit and ponder it will just seem worse. It’s hard at times, but just get out and do things. That diverts the mind and assists the heart. Make this the last AF post that you read for the next few months….
My son has threatened to block my ability to read these comments, but he has no control, he lives with his wife and sons, I live alone. But you are right, I will read no more . Thank you for your comment.
Sykesie thank you for your advice. I agree with not becoming preoccupied with BP readings and HR. It did happen to me again and I just rode it out. I will be speaking to the cardiologist though about metroprolol. My goal is to try to gain control of all of this so that I can keep it away.
If you haven't already, my next move would be to have a stress cardiac MRI scan of your heart performed before you use your hard earned cash on alternative remedies. I cannot begin to imagine that acupuncture would be worthwhile before knowing as best as can be known what condition your heart is in and what might be causing the AF to occur. Only an MRI or similar can show this. My only thought regarding acupuncture is that it can do no harm and it might even help reduce any anxiety which, if that is linked to the AF, could help.
Regarding when to take your "as needed" / "pill in the pocket" / PRN tablets, well, I take mine (bisoprolol, which are very similar) if I feel uncomfortable and have something that I have to do that day (if we are looking after our grandson, for example). A heart rate of 135bpm would make me uncomfortable so I would have taken a minimum dose of 1.25mg, which takes about an hour or two to work.
I don't have low blood pressure, luckily, which you do. The ,best I have recorded is around 100/60. Beta blockers do reduce the BP a little but not usually by too much. You seem to be especially sensitive and, for that reason, might need a lower dose, or to get back to your doctor for advice. Your GP should be fine for knowing what to do if the cardiologist isn't available.
Steve my e mail to you just disappeared, I think you gave me some advice on mpn voice. in the past. so thank you again for taking the time and interest to again give me advice on afib. I have had an ultra sound and stress test only and they said my heart was strong, but this is all I know. I guess I have never asked the right questions, in fact I dont think I asked any because this is all so new., but I have been learning fast from everyone. ( Our healthcare is all government funded, so I havent paid for any care. although we do pay our whole working lives through deductions on our salaries.) But I will ask what might be causing the Afib I have several things to follow up on. thanks again
Hi Kitty - I don't think I can have mentioned "mpn voice" as I don't know what it is! Was that someone else, maybe? I've had several posts suddenly evaporate into the ether of late but not this past couple of days, so I hope the glitch has been resolved. I see you live in Canada - what a wonderful place it seems to be! We have our NHS here in the UK but the private sector is allowed and currently is thriving. An MRI and ultrasound scan are well worthwhile if you can get them as they will show how the structure and pumping of the heart is bearing up to age and arrhythmia.
There are two separate issues here: one is the danger of AF causing blood clots in the atrium which is why the most important thing is the Apixaban anticoagulant you are taking. The second is what method your doctor is applying in rate control to 'even out' the irregularities in heart beat and the episodes of racing. I am not a doctor, of course, but I see that Metropolol is a beta blocker normally prescribed to control blood pressure, which from your comments you do not seem to suffer from. Despite being an older beta blocker drug, Sotalol or Bisopropol might be far better drugs as the latter is cardiac specific, while the Metropolol seems to be having an effect on your entire system. Having said that, all of the beta blockers have initial side effects which can make you feel terrible for several weeks or longer before you adjust to them.
The only answer is to discuss these issues with your cardiologist or GP and make him or her aware of the very low pulse rate and blood pressure you are experiencing. You just need the right kind of beta blocker at the best dose, and I would question if an approach like 'take it when you think you need it' is something that would be desirable. If you take any drug regularly it is easier for the system and for the doctor to tailor it to the right amount.
thank you for this response, I am going to pursue this with the cardiologist - I think this needs to be looked into. I definitely know I cannot take anything that lowers my blood pressure. I appreciate hearing from you.
Hi Kitty I do feel for you with the BP dropping like that. It feels horrible doesnt it? Our whole body signals that something is WRONG.
It is not uncommon for BP to go up and down massively during an AF episode. And while the wrist monitors are less reliable during and episode, if you feel clammy, shaky and like youre going to faint, that is likely to be your BP.
Here's what I do - lie down flat - no pillows- if you can, elevate your feet. Drink some water - room temperature, not iced. Drink at least a glass. I also keep organic coconut water to hand in the house as it has electrolytes. When we have AF we tend to pee a lot, which also contributes to the low BP and can make use lose electrolytes. I also like an instant miso soup at this time as my sodium sometimes gets low. I read in the book The AFib Cure (by Dr John Day) that V8 drink is also good at this time. The original only however.
Using these strategies I've got my BP up to almost low normal from as low as 55/38. After that my dose of Diltiazem was changed however - wasnt going through that again!
It might be you are on too high a dose of your meds, or even that you need a change of meds. In any case Let your GP know this happened, write it all down in a factual manner and send to your cardiologists office too. Then maybe call them?
I was told that the shaky, clammy feeling that I got when waking at night was due to low blood pressure. This was during an episode while I was also on dronedarone. Advice was to rise very slowly, and to sip water.
Looking back to before my AF was diagnosed, this had happened to me a couple of times before. So I’m fairly sure that AF makes my blood pressure dip.
Hi I wrote down your technique in my notes. I plan on leting the cardiologist know what happened and also have questions for him. I am going to call the office and see if I can send in an email., although doctors here dont usually use emails, because they can be changed, I think that is the reason but I like the idea of putting his in writing, and prefeer it, this way nothing is forgotten. Thanks for all this.
I'm now at 3 yrs past the diagnosis of AF and rapid H/R and high Systolic rate, 3 yrs past the stroke and 2.5 yrs past the thyroidectomy and 12 lymph nodes taken after 3 years ago I was given a carotid arteries scan.
Interestingly the Urologist said "you will never have a stroke on a high systolic level." It was 150. That was in May 2019 and I had the stroke Sept 2019.
It is a harder task to not get too low with your BP and H/R.
Finally after Metroprolol ( I hated it as it made me breathless) on its own and Bisoprolol on its own my night H/R stayed at 47 avge but on Metroprolol I had pauses, day rate was 185! Bisoprolol no pauses but not controlled still @ 156 avge day H/R.
But my heart was assessed during 24hr as rapid and persistent with AF.
At 2 years 3 months I sought out a private cardiac special who was interested. Although CCB Diliazem 180mg was too much with Bisoprolol reduced. But day dropped to 51!
So between our NZ Healthline I had a doctor speak to me and 3 days later even better advice from NZ Heart Foundation. She knew my private man so it was solid direction to reduce Diltiazem to 120mg and have it in the morning and have just 2.5mg Bisoprolol at night.
Bingo.
Bisoprolol keeps me at 47 H/R night.
BP 123/72. 77-88H/R Day. and. 47 H/R night.
If necessary could mean a pill in the pocket but I think it is unusual to use Metroprolol as a pill in pocket.
I heard that those with limited episodes could have PIP anti-co-agulant . New research Radcliffe Medical says keep it to a minimum.
I would follow this routine if I was not 'persistent and rapid with AF".
I am gaining energy as I had inflammation removed along with the TVT Kit (Johnson & Johnson).
Also in 2019 I was discharged with 110mg PRADAXA xtwice day by the stroke ward top major hospital in Whangarei Northland. But this was changed to 150mg x twice 3 days later from my transfer to a little country hospital at Kaitaia and closer to home.
I was livered and asked my dr to prescribe the lower dose. She did not agree. By then I was 73yrs. I stood my ground and as a result I have written on my prescription - Patient wants this lower mg! I reckon that's rude. It comes from the top Northland Hospital with my triage team agreeing.
We have ManageMyHealth and I do.
Refused RAI after thyroidectomy and suppression. My surgeon respected my wishes but the edocrinologist who was the Dr on the Stroke Ward argued. Also that I should not have an operation until 6 mths after stroke. At 4 mths 2 lymphs were infected with the papilliary cancer.
Hi you have been through a lot. I hope you are doing okay now. You have an interesting history.. One thing I am learning is that most of the afib members I have heard from are their own advocates. I will keep at this until it is right for me. I think BP is an issue that I now have as part of my make up. I just want to keep everything away from me. take care and thanks again.
you are right I am loaded with it. I just got some blood tests yesterday because I havent been feeling so great. and cant eat. And it looks like I am fighting infection and inflammation from what I have tried to determine from the results. I looked up the ones that were high. and what it meant and this is just my determination. but I am trying to get back to normal. thank again
So sorry you feel so frightened. If your'e not happy pester your GP and/ or the cardiologist/ pharmacist for answers. I was absolutely terrified for 18 months when I first had af but I found that worrying only makes things worse. Be pro-active and find out as much as you can - it's your body and you need to be comfortable.
BP goes crazy with af and the symptoms can be horrible but it can be managed. Good luck and best wishes x
Hi thank you, you are right I am afraid of all of this, Having heart spikes totally scared and shocked me as I didnt realize there were such things. I am tryin g to find out as much as I can. At first when this started happening. I went to the hospital the first couple of times after it ended. They said it was anxiety. Then the cardiologist gave me a 2 week monitor and my heart went totally out of control. while I was wearing it. Then they believed me that there was something wrong but I never received too much information and didnt know what to ask. Now I am learning.. and will be getting back to the cardiologist. Many thanks
I’m sorry to hear about your worries, afib is worrying and confusing at the best of times.
Having a ‘normal’ resting HR between 60-100 isn’t an indication of never taking a beta blocker, so don’t worry about that one. It’s when Afib strikes and your HR rises, that has to be dealt with, as you know, when yours went to 135. Some of us without medication can go even higher - mine went to 188 at my last attack, last year. Afib is known to have very high heart rates.
As others have said, it is hard to take a true reading of BP when in Afib. Next time, try and be as calm as possible and take lots of deep breaths. Please also take it as a positive if it took only 35 minutes to get your HR down to 81 after your metaprolol as that is quite quick.
As for your BP worries, I had infrequent episodes which were becoming more frequent last year and I always had a low/normal BP and ‘normal’ general HR ( I had a resting HR of mid 60s) before an afib episode. Even though my afib was usually after meals, late at night ( some say it’s vagal afib), bisoprolol seems to suit me well. I take the lowest daily dose of bisoprolol beta blocker (1.25mg) and even though I am not Bisoprolol’s No1 fan, it has curbed my episodes and I haven’t had any since last Nov, but I still remain vigilant.
My BP also used to drop a lot when in Afib though and most heart rate control medication will usually lower your BP to some degree generally. The lower dose of bisoprolol has also lowered my BP, but not too much and it is still within the normal range, even though it’s still on the low ish side.
Afib can make you ‘feel horrible’ too, so it may not be your BP alone making you feel that way. Is it possible to make an earlier appointment with your cardiologist, or another Practitioner to have a medication review, so you can advise them of your BP concerns? It might be that you just need to alter the dose or timings next time, or they may prescribe an alternative regime or medication to try?
Hello Teresa, thank you for your response and the information. I will be speaking to the cardiologist about this and also the medicine department at the hospital. I think I have received the one size fits all approach, because usually it probably does. In my case this is not workable so I will be changing a number of things, I have learned so much. Thanks again for your help
I have been on the same medication (Metoprolol and Apixiban) for 1.5 years.
My advice is to contact your medical professional at the earliest possible date. Blood pressure below 90/60 is a concern. Also, did the 135 heart rate come down after a short period ?
I suppose it depends on the doctor but it seems Metoprolol should be taken daily and not as needed. It is not normally prescribed as a pill in the pocket like stronger drugs. Your body may be reacting to only occasional doses. (personal opinion, not a doctor).
But do consult with your doctor as soon as possible. And continue regularly with Apixiban and monitoring your HR and BP.
thanks very much for your sound advice, I will be contactng the cardiologst asap, It took 35 minutes for my heart rate to come down. but the metoprolo made me feel terrible for the rest of the day. I think you may be right its too much at one time. Thanks again
Having had this condition several years my advice would be register for these emails daily. Read, read and read some more of the posts on here. Buy a book on the subject and consume yourself in knowledge.
Knowledge on this subject in my view is power.
Healthcare is down to your knowledge and irrespective of where you live it seems that understanding your own condition first is the best way to get help and see improvement.
Read about triggers and try not to get hung up on it but accept that your diet (and alcohol) will make a difference in all likelihood.
Its a journey. Welcome to the club and look forward to learning more
My own top tips...
Workout your ideal weight and work towards that. There's a huge correlation between being overweight and AF.
Alcohol is very often a trigger(wine is worse than beer due to sulphites). Getting drunk is a bad idea for most AF'ers
Take magnesium. I do and almost everyone says you should. Im not sure but seems a good idea!
De-stress your life and try to work on your own attitude to stress
Hello Guitar 335 thank you for getting back to me. and thanks for the top tips. I believe in them and practice them, The magnesium I believe works, I can remember back to the first time I took it, and the immediate feeling of calmness I know some doctors prescribe it -Destressing our lives is sometimes hard to do, but it really is how we are interpretting things in our mind. takes practice but it does the right thing. I have learned so much from the responses I have received. I never realized all of these things. No one outside of this group (maybe there are other ones too) talks about afib. I never heard of it before. thank you again
don’t let it frighten you I have had AF for a long time I don’t take anything. I am very careful what I eat and drink and stay away from all chemicals the biggest is stress. I stay away from people that stress me. Not always easy I might add. Stay away from controversial topics like take meds or don’t take meds. I’m 73 I have had weird episodes of heart beats since my oldest was born in 1976. I enjoy reading what others are doing here on this forum but decisions are still ours to make. As far as I feel, doctors are guessing too. We are our best advocates. Pay attention to what triggers you. Keep a journal.
Hi, thanks for this good advice I am 100% in agreement - I have already learned what some of my triggers are. When I think of it , the whole situation seems unreal. Out of the blue your life changes - i am learning a lot. thanks for the advice and for your response, I appreciate it very much.
it will be two years in October for me having my first a fib event although it took quite a while to find out that’s what it was. I finally had a loop recorder implanted and within two weeks I was diagnosed with permanent a fib. I also had flutter. One thing you were going to find reading on here is that all the we all have a fib it can be very different for each. I have had three procedures the last one was very aggressive and it is the only one I am having problems with however I was told it could take up to a year to heal. I was on Multitaq and Metropolol I cannot take amiodarone I had such horrible effects from it. Six weeks after my procedure my EP took me off the Multaq. I was having problems even at my six week follow up although he said I was NSR You wouldn’t know it if you were in my body I could barely walk my chest was feeling crushed I can’t tell you how horrible I was feeling and my heart rate was sticking around 145. I did have pericarditis and was on treatment for that. Within days of stopping the treatment my rate was right back up again so my doctor put me back on Multaq. Before he did that his assistant took me off metropolol. None of this has really mattered although my heart rate is down to 115 today again. I have not broken 100 yet as far as going down. I was supposed to have a cardioversion last week but that’s another story because I could not have it thanks too and an inept medical assistant
yes it’s just scrambled here except for faster medical treatment. I honestly don’t think they know all the answers and it is hit or miss on each one of us. I do not regret my first two ablations because I got a break from a fib. The first was six months the second about a year. It doesn’t sound like much but it was nice to have a break. This time around I have only had a one month break since December. I am still trying to look at the end of the tunnel hoping to see the light.
Right now I can feel my heart thump and as it does I feel pain. I’m so tired of being tired and feeling lousy this time. Hopefully that is a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not attached to a train coming towards me
Hi Dawn, thank you for your e mail. You have been through quite a lot. I am sorry that you have had to endure all this. it was interestbg to read your history. I hope that you will feel better and see that light at the end of tunnel soon. Thanks for sharing all this infomation.
hi kittycat, firstly it is always scary when uou first get diagnosed, I know I went through all kinds of emotions.
When in afib it is never wise to keep taking you BP it will be all over the place, up through the roof or down through your boots. If you are medicated (as you are) it is better to sit out episodes unless you feel particularly unwell, in that case you go to A &, E.
I don't take the same beta blocker as you but do take the apixaban. My BP and heart rate are low - heart rate between 55 and 60 snd BP around an average of 100/60 (it is often much lower). I saw my EP last night who is a top professor in the field of heart arrythmias and he is happy with this, he says it's good and would be more worried if my BP was high.
I think acceptance of afib is difficult and on e you can relax a bit you may feel better. The key to all of this is to get on the right medication (sometimes takes a while) and to be monitored regularly by an EP.
if BP sits at a low rate for too long it is dangerous. You can pass out and you can get organ damage. Ive been told this specifically by medics. Kitty's rates however were low but not dangeously so.
Hi Singwell, I have always had low BP and get no symptoms. My EP snd GP are fine with this having said that with afib they would be more worried if it was high
of course, to a degree its dependant on the individual. I too used to have lowish BP and never noticed it. Trust me that 55/38 isn't at all pleasant in my case.
Hi Karendeena, I agree the key is the right medication -but hopefully I can prevent these attacks in future. My goal is to stop them. I have also been watching the patterns leading up to them. Thanks for getting back to me.
Hi Kittycat, the episodes are awful aren't they and very scary....my EP says sit it out but the feeling is dreadful. I seem to be awaiting the next one, then I go through the 'forget about it' stage, then it takes me by surprise. Hope you are ok
I have been taking metoprolol daily for three years and it does affect your "maximum" heartrate. Even though metop. is known to lower blood pressure too, it hasn't lowered mine. But its max HR control effect can clearly be seen. Out of all the medications I have took, I'd say metoprolol has been the safest of them all.
25mg is quite small dose. But I am no doctor so I would not know if such a small dose would affect your blood pressure or not. All I can say is that 25mg doesn't lower mine. 🙂
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Please can you help with my question below.
Magnesium - why do you think it helps you?
How many ablations can you have? 
what can and can’t you do after an ablation
