Breathlessness in Sinus Rhythm

[frankiec5]

I am a 72 year old female who was diagnosed with AF in January 2021. I had my second ablation on 26th October this year and have been in NSR ever since (thank goodness and long may it last!)

However, although my heart rate and blood pressure are so far pretty well within acceptable parameters, I still get very breathless when going upstairs or uphill on my short walks.

I am also suffering from a rather alarming amount of hair fall.

I am currently taking 2.5mg Ramipril twice a day and 5mg Bisoprolol twice a day as well as Rivaroxaban.

Any ideas as to the possible causes of my hair loss and breathlessness? And any suggestions as to how I can improve both these conditions would be very gratefully received. I really don’t want to go bald!

Many thanks

Sammy

[BobD Volunteer]

Hair loss probably the anticoagulant . Breathlessness goes with the territory.

[frankiec5 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob

So does that mean that the breathlessness is likely to continue even though I’m in sinus rhythm? And that the hair loss will continue as long as I’m taking Rivaroxaban? ☹️

[BobD Volunteer in reply to frankiec5]

We are all different. Why not speak to your arrhythmia nurse re the breathessness. Mine did improve during the first lockdown due to country walks but since arthritis stopped that it is back. I never had hair loss mysef but is is sometimes reported here. Why not use search box and see what others have written.

[frankiec5 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. Will do

[Hidden]

Good afternoon frankiec5, one of the common side effects reported of Bisoprolol is breathlessness. If it is affecting your quality of life, it may be worth enquiring with your doctor as to whether you can try an alternative beta blocker. Our Atrial Fibrillation Drug Information booklet may be helpful, which can be found here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

AF drug information booklet

[frankiec5 in reply to Hidden]

That’s very helpful. Thank you

[rcburton]

I was diagnosed with AF in March and have been on Bisoprolol and then changed to Nebidivol, both had significant detrimental impacts on my asthma. I had a cardioversion 5 weeks ago and stopped taking the Nebidivol 2 days after as I could hardly walk 100 yards. 4 days later and I was a new man, did 6.5 miles of walking yesterday including some steep hills. I'm never going back onto beta blockers again.

[Ppiman]

I recall reading a long time ago that a possible side effect of beta-blockers is hair thinning. The breathlessness, which I sometimes seem to feel but am never sure, could be either the heart itself having lost some of its pumping power owing to the AF, age or similar, or, more likely, perhaps, the bisoprolol and ramipril between them reducing the rate and blood pressure just that bit too much to supply the body's oxygen needs on demand.

Have you had an echo-cardiogram since you experienced this, or asked your GP for his view?

Steve

[frankiec5 in reply to Ppiman]

Hi Steve

Thank you for your reply.

I had an echocardiogram a few months ago when I was experiencing breathlessness but that was before I was aware of the hair thinning.

I suppose I thought that, now that I’m in NSR again, the breathlessness would improve but unfortunately it hasn’t.

I’m desperately hoping that my second ablation will remain successful so that I can be weaned off the Bisoprolol and Ramipril. I’m getting really concerned about the hair fall too so my fingers are firmly crossed for my review in January after the 12 week blanking period.

[Ppiman in reply to frankiec5]

I think an ablation can take longer to get over sometimes. Another scan might be useful if you feel things aren't right? It's no fun, is it? The anxiety can be unhelpful to put it mildly, too.

Steve

[frankiec5 in reply to Ppiman]

You’re so right Steve. Anxiety doesn’t help at all! I’m trying not to fret about things too much … but it’s hard.

Thanks again for your input

[GolfGirl51]

my hair started falling out when I had a thyroid problem. I now take L-Thyroxin for the problem and my hair is back to normal (but I have always had fine hair). I lost weight when my thyroid was out of whack too. The weight loss I could take but not the hair 😬. I blamed my hypothyroidism on taking Amiodarone.

[frankiec5]

Thanks so much for the reply.

As far as I know, I don’t have a thyroid problem so I guess L-Thyroxin wouldn’t be appropriate for me.

I do take beta blockers and an anticoagulant for my afib and I expect to be on them for some time to come.

I’ve also had a fairly torrid time over the past few months with a pretty bad dose of Covid in August and a second ablation in October which I found rather stressful.

I’m wondering whether these things have caused the hair fall and if so, what I can do to stop it. Any suggestions will be most welcome as I am becoming very concerned.