My cardiologist’s instructions on taking beta blockers

I’m in persistent AFib and awaiting my 2nd cardioversion. I too was only taking my beta blocker when my heart rate was raised significantly. WRONG! said the Cardiologist last week (he seemed exasperated) . Take it as prescribed because it will gradually build up a mechanism in your system which is working to stabilise your heart rate. I do feel it’s working as I’m not experiencing the see-sawing heart rate I was before and I’m not constantly on my Kardia monitoring - meaning less stress (in itself an aggravator!)

[BobD Volunteer]

Just to be clear, permanent AF just means that both you and your medical team agree that no further attempts to restore NSR are appropriate and rate control will the only future treatmant along side anticoagulation of course.

Glad you finally got the correct message re the beta blockers and kardia..

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

definition of permanent Afib

Thanks Bob I didn’t realise that distinction as I’ve heard it expressed that way and obviously misinterpreted it.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Common problem which often makes people think they are worse off than they are. To extend, paroxysmal comes and goes at will and can last hours or days. Persistent AF lasts more than seven days and needs intervention either from drugs or DCCV to revert to NSR. Permanent as said is just an agreement not to try and obtain NSR.

[Hidden]

Hi Loafinabout,

Despite a couple of hiccups re Bisoprolol, once in the beginning in 2010 and the other the middle of this year ( which is now under control) ....... your cardiologist has expressed the sentiments that were put to me by mine and to which I've stayed with over the years. Look ......... it IS A DIRTY drug and needs treating with much respect, both starting it and using it and where necessary, varying the dose which I've recently done.

My Surgery Pharmacist has recently built on this by saying in addition to its HR control properties it also has a mechanism to help with blood pressure control when used alongside other BP drugs, like .... Ramipril.

Good luck.

John

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

thanks John that’s good to know. It felt counter intuitive to take a beta blocker when my HR was 50 or below but I see his reasoning. Glad for your input!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thats the reason I took the law into my own hands ....... I went from 5 mg to 7.5 mg in January 2021. 7.5 mg worked well for 12 months but then I began to slide down the slippery slope into the most awesome dreadfulness, all the worst side effects of Bisop you can imagine. Ignoring my GP and surgery, I then weaned my dose back from 7.5 to 5 and am feeling like superman again. I'm a 6 ft. - 15 stone guy and heart rates of 39 to 45, maybe up to 50 ish if I'm lucky were doing me no good.

As I say my HR now is in the sensible area of 64 to 67 bpm and I feel bloody brilliant.

John

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

it’s good to know that you’re through that difficult period John. AFib is a slippery customer and I’ve found it tricky to get stable. I’m obeying doctors orders to keep taking Nebivolol and ignoring the Kardia readings and we will see. Stay happy!