Afib breathlessness

[gentryman]

Firstly, sorry, I don`t know how to add to an old post so started this.

To try and keep it short I had a cardioversion for Afib which worked for a few weeks.

I was later put on bisoprolol which I really struggled to walk any distance and upstairs (Asthmatic).

Many kind people on here gave me good advice at that time and eventually I was put onto Zemtard Diltiazem by my Cardiologist.

I have been great on that and felt ok.

4 weeks ago I tested my Blood pressure (I have have Hypertension) and my results were out of range so my Doctor put me on Ramipril, well after about a week I felt like I was on Bisoprolol again.

I mentioned this and was put onto Losartan, yet after 2 weeks I feel the same again.

Is it me just worrying? Chemists say Ramipril and Losartin are ok with Asthma and Afib.

I know no-one can comment officially but any thoughts? I felt ok until the new tabs but obviously need to control any BP results.

Thanks for any guidance.

[wilsond]

I would contact your dr( easier said than done!) and report your breathing problem and the relationship to the BP meds.Good luck

[Desanthony]

This happened to me they tried all sorts of differeing rate control and beta blockers and combinations of them for about 9 months and like you after about 3 -4 weeks I just couldn't function I was far better off them altogether and just on Eliquis as an anticoagulant. I now have permanent AF and am fine with that - missed out on an ablation in time because of Covid Lockdowns. I did have 3 cardioversions whilst waiting for an ablation which kept me in NSR between them for nearly 3 years so a shame an ablation couldn't have been done earlier as it might very well have worked well for me. Definitely tell your cardiologist/EP about this and see what other options can be taken.

[gentryman in reply to Desanthony]

Thanks Desanthony, yes I’m also on Eliquis.

I’m just wondering why they didn’t just up my Diltiazem dosage and try that, as I was told it helps Afib and High blood pressure.

I have to get my Blood test results checked by the Nurse tomorrow to see what affect, if any Losartin has had since I went on it.

So hopefully I can ask this question and ask why I feel breathless on the other options so far.

I also finally get my phone call after a year with my Cardiologist at the end of December so I want to get back to how I was before then.

The last time we spoke he offered me another Cardioversion, but I wasn’t keen as the tablets seemed to be working.

[Tomred]

sometimes gps need a gentle nudge regarding meds i think , if you feel a higher dose or lower may benefit you.

[Singwell]

Only comment I have is that Ramipril is known to make you cough! Wondering if it's a good thing for asthmatics! How far out if range is your BP? If you went back on the Diltiazem could you commit to losing weight if needed and doing more gentle exercise? Seems to me your GP might be all about the numbers, less about the lifestyle and QOL! it's your body, you have some say in the decisions about your medication.

[Ppiman]

Perhaps the two drugs together are overly reducing your heart's ability to supply sufficient oxygen to the body? If so, reducing the dosage or giving them longer to work and get used to might be needed. That's for your doctor to decide, of course, as it's important to keep BP normal and, if it is symptomatic, to keep AF at bay.

The issues you had with bisoprolol might also have been this rather than its worsening your asthma. It is a very heart-specific beta-blocker, although I have read that it can affect the different beta receptors in the lungs, too, and bring on asthma in some people. The losartan can't do that at all.

Having felt well on the Ca++ antagonist drug (diltiazem) it does seem that there should be a better way forward for you if you can find it.

Steve