Confused

[TheGrinch2]

Diagnosed with afib before Xmas and given 2.5 bisoprolol Waiting for appointment with cardiologist.On a visit recently to nurse at GP surgery for BP check,I mentioned that I suffered dizzyness with meds.Later that day got a phone call from her saying that doctor had dropped dose to 1.25.Surely this would raise my heart rate and BP,can't seem to get advice regarding this.Has anyone any experience regarding, will be much appreciated.

[stoneyrosed]

Sounds like 2.5 was lowering your BP so they have reduced it to 1.5 to see how you get on.

[doodle68]

...it often takes a while for the body to adjust to some medication , often best to start with a lower dose if you experience side effects and to increase the dose gradually.

[Hidden]

Hi,

I have read many comments over the years about Bisoprolol being used for BP control. To the best of my knowledge it is a HEART RATE CONTROL DRUG !! It has some properties that some medicos are attracted to for BP control. BUT THAT IS NOT ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE.

It was prescribed to me by my Cardio consultant for HR control, which it does perfectly. It is of absolutely no damn good for BP control. For that I am prescribed Ramipril supported by Felodopine. Bisoprolol holds my HR at 64 to 67 bpm and has done so for years.

In my view if your dose was reduced I would expect to see an increase in my Heart Rate. I wouldn't expect it to have any impact at all on BP. The sort of doses you are talking about would hardly have any impact ......... I think the Dr. is playing around and having two bob each way. Curious to know your HR ( before and after) and BP (before and after).

My GP did experiment on me with increasing my Bisoprolol from 5 to 7.5 mg to give an added boost to my BP control but it did nothing except at 7.5 mg made me "the zombie from the land of the living dead". So now I'm back at 5 mg.

There are alternatives to Bisoprolol for HR control if that is the more serious problem. If you have the time and inclination I would research these three drugs online, suggest an NHS website and get a grasp of what does what.

John

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou,you have echoed what I have been thinking,much appreciated advice

[Maverick747 in reply to Hidden]

My cardiologist explained that up to a dose of 2.5mg daily, Bisoprolol is great at reducing BP and is now one of its main uses. It lowers BP by opening up the blood vessels. Mine is down from 150/95 to 115/70 on 2.5mg. My HR down from 80 to 67. Win win!

[Hidden in reply to Maverick747]

I personally cannot make that claim in defence of Bisoprolol because I also take BP specific drugs. Felodopine and Ramipril. Bisoprolol doesn't do anything for me other than for which it was first prescribed - heart rate control.

[Desanthony]

I got that on Bisoprolol at any dose and with other beta blockers and calcium channel blockers so in the end they stopped trying them. Made me feel far worse than the Afib. You may have to try various doses or medications to get to one you are comfortable on. You may find it helps taking your bisoprolol in the evenings rather than morning - that works for some people.

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Desanthony]

Thanks will keep in mind

[Ppiman]

I have read studies that show bisoprolol dosage to be far from linear in its effects on the heart and also that its effect on the heart can vary between individuals (including side effects). I take 1.25mg as needed and find it lowers my heart rate significantly. Its main side effect for me, if I take it regularly or at higher dose, is a strange chest aching.

Steve

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for that

[Maverick747 in reply to Ppiman]

With Bisoprolol being cardioselective, meaning it only affects B1 receptors in the heart, it is very efficacious at low doses such as 1.25 or 2.5mg. Beyond that it has greater effect on BP control but also affects B2 receptors in the lungs causing more side effects

I'd always say to people who start Biso at a low dose to give it at least a month because 5mg or more may be completely unnecessary. Obviously the Dr should decide each individual case but patients also need to speak up as to how they feel on the medications.

I am personally on 2.5mg for ectopics and occasional PAF and it alleviates 90% of symptoms. It doesn't get rid of ectopics but dumbs down their effect.

[Ppiman in reply to Maverick747]

I've been taking it more frequently of late for increased ectopics and very occasional more extended PAF and it works exactly as you say, to "dumb down" the feelings and, in general, to lower the anxiety the things cause. I took a double dose one day but the only extra effect was that my heart dropped rather low, to 45bpm, in the evening, and I had extra chest discomfort.

Steve

[Teresa156]

Hi,

It does sound like they’re reducing the Bisoprolol due to your BP being too low. My BP, which was always on the low side of normal before Bisoprolol , became lower than ideal on 2.5 as well as my HR, so you could try lowering it, as they have suggested. Did they give you advice on how to reduce? I know you’ve been on it only a few weeks, but you could still have some side effects if you don’t reduce slowly.

Also, interestingly my Heart rate and BP are approx the same ( BP slightly better, but still low) on 1.25mg of Bisoprolol as they were on 2.5mg and my resting HR is usually below 60 throughout the day, I know we are all different and yours may go slightly higher, but bear in mind that 1.25 mg still packs a bit of a punch.

Teresa

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Teresa156]

Thankyou