after 2 good days I’m breathless again 3am in the morning
This seems to be the time it starts and lasts 2-3 days once it does I don’t have a sleeping disorder it is like air hunger though , my cardio doctor after my echo and ct scan in the lungs believes it’s AF related but I am not in AF currently
Hi NLGA.
I'm not sure how to answer this one. If it starts around 3am most of the time there is likely to be a trigger there somewhere. You say you don't have a sleeping disorder - have you been tested for this and are you 100% sure? Sleep apnea springs to mind.
If you haven't already, ask your doctor about getting an inhaler - they can really help when you feel breathless. You also say you are not currently in afib - again are you sure? You could be without being aware of it unless of course you have a monitor to confirm you are in sinus.
Paul
Hi Paul
I thought about apnea but the doctor tells me I have no symptoms I don’t snore and I sleep great at other times on my back or side
I do have seritide inhaler and Ventolin
I seem to go 5/6 weeks of great sleep then get a run of feeling short of breath that last at times 2 days other times 6-7 hours So I get what you mean about apnea but would I still be breathless a day later?
I never know when I’m in AF recently I had a 24 hour monitor and hit 180 heart beat average 130 amd never felt breathless or felt the heart jumping
It gets me down some days today is one of them
Hi NLGA.
Hmmm. If your doctor told you that you don't have sleep apnea, based on the fact you don't snore, and can sleep well at other times I would get it checked out. I can't second guess your doctor as I'm not a medic but I would follow it up to be on the safe side.
If the 24-hour monitor showed your HR to be an average of 130bpm and going up to 180bpm - this is too high IMO. I think you should ask about a beta-blocker such as bisoprolol. I strongly suggest buying a Kardia to self-monitor. I have no idea what your budget is but I feel it would be a good investment for you. If your HR is an average of 130 it needs bringing down. I would also suggest talking to your doctor about going on an anticoagulant if the Kardia shows you are in afib more than you think. Maybe you are already on one.
If not and you are in afib plus you have a high heart rate I'm amazed your medic hasn't jumped on this one more quickly. As I said I can't second guess your doctor but play safe and ask for a second opinion.
Paul
hi Paul
I was on 5mg Bisoprolol and Edoxaban without them I would be in A and E each day I think they have me in 10mg now
Echo was good CT on lungs was good ecg on Friday showed no AF at the time
I do think I have AF plus something making me breathless but tne cardio doctor has them as one issue
Sure NLGA. 10mg of Bis should sort out the high HR. Keep checking your pulse from time to time to make sure it's down.
Enjoy your weekend.
Paul
cheers Paul
I know you said your airflow was fine but then you tested it ‘when I got my breath back’ - the time to test is when you are breathless. Bisoprolol is not supposed to be prescribed for people with asthma at all, let alone a 10mg dose! What time do you take it?
I used to split it am and pm now only pm
Also a bit worried when you say you think you are on 10mg. Aren’t you sure? If it starts at a regular time that says to me you are doing something previously that set it off. It’s a bit frustrating that the cardio doctor doesn’t seem worried. I have had episodes of unexplained breathlessness, mostly in the past because I’ve got my meds sorted (I think). Best wishes ❤️🩹
There seems to be a controversy about Biso and Asthma - I have mild Asthma and when by chance I was diagnosed with Afib (it is familial and asymptomatic) the Cardio removed all my Asthma collection and left me only with Symbicort inhalers. I then asked another cardio about Biso and Asthma and he said it's not a problem as Biso is specific to the heart. I have to say that I had a lung function test the other day and the Asthma component was if anything ,as was the small COPD component (I actually have ACOS)had improved after 5 years of Biso. so it's hard to know what to think. I have started using one of those Air Physio devices for my lungs and find in very helpful
Hi Paul
I was on 10mg Bisoprolol and this didn't CONTROL my H/R.
It sounds like NLGA has a high H/R at night when H/R should drop.
Mine was at rest day 120 plus and 47 H/R at night.
It was CCB Calcium channel blocker that CONTROLLED me Diltiazem
120mg AM with a little Bisoprolol at night.
Is it asthma. Cold air so turn up heat.
cheers JOY. (NZ)
Hi Joy.
10mg of Bis is a high dose. For many this would control HR but we are all different of course. I'm please to hear you have now sorted it out. Some times trial and error are needed to find out what works best for you.
Paul
I get a high heart rate at anytime but I seem to be more breathless at night and it last into the day or two days but normally seems to start 3/4 am then it can be with me for 6 hours or days .
Today I have been busy all day amd not breathless once
beware though as bisoprolol can also make you breathless.
Id suggest if you get a kardia get the 6lLOne. The 1lL Original doesnt show atrial flutter (its usually seen on L2 and some of the others), usually which I now know I have as well as atrial fibrillation. Get someone to show you what an A Flutter ECG reading looks like or look online - its pretty distinctive. Best of luck.
I was breathless before Bisoprolol for 4 months
I agree with Paul - just because you don't snore doesn't mean you don't have sleep apnoea. If you wake up suddenly and breathless it might well be sleep apnoea. I'd also recommend you get your lung function tested, and separately from the heart function. If your lung function is compromised it will impact the heart and also cause the breathless. Ask your doctor if you can be referred to a respiratory specialist.
but doesn’t sleep apnea happen constantly? Last night I slept like a log
My peak flow is 670-750 had a spirometer test that was a good score had a lung x Ray that was good and a CT scan on my lungs that was also good / normal no action
The GP said after the above he doesn’t see a lung issue
As to the sleep apnoea I can't say with reliability so maybe you could do some research. I bet there's a sleep apnoea society. This is good re lung function too from what you've said. Just a thought - when you wake up are you coughing and choking a bit? Because that would be acid reflux and could easily happen intermittently.
I did think I about acid reflux as I had it years ago but to be honest I don’t get any symptoms like you posted or the tight chest
I never get any chest pain just spells if 2 /3 days where I feel I’m working on a low amount if oxygen yet the monitor gives a good reading always even in them days it’s like I have lose cotton wool below my Adam’s apple to upper chest restrictioning air flow
Hmm. That's quite a specific description- tell your doctor. There just might be something going on in the area between the larynx and lungs. Perhaps an ENT could find it?
I get similar symptoms from silent reflux. I get absolutely no normal acid reflux symptoms, more like a gas comes up. Don't know it's happening till the breathlessness and irrated throat. A.Comes from a sliding hiatus hernia. Sleep on wedge pillow. Take meds when needed
I would check with your doctor the bisoprolol, I found/ find it makes me feel breathless ( gaspy) at much lower doses.
Also do you have a blood oxymeter? They are not too expensive and next time you feel bad you can see what your blood oxygen level is. If it is below 90% I would call for assistance 999/911 or similar but if as I hope it is over 95% it may calm you a bit because breathlessness is scary and makes itself worse
Good luck
Stevev
blood oxygen currently 99 at times it’s 97. I was breathless before the Bisoprolol as they thought it was asthma to I ended up in A and E with a 178 heart beat for 6 days so I was then put on 5 mg beta blocker that didn’t calm it at all 10mg keeps it around 65-78 so I can’t blame the beta blocker for the breathing issue
Yesterday I walked 5 miles I could do it again today 3 days ago as is often the case I couldn’t walk up the garden without breathing heavy
at its worse like a fish out of water often before I had Bisoprolol 10mg I would find myself sat next to a fan facing it trying to draw air or with the back doors open trying to get oxygen in my body . It’s like I can’t get enough in and what I get is gone in no time
my breathing improved by walking around the garden in circles it seems to get a little more air in the body you can imagine before the Bisoprolol my heart was hitting 150’plus easily without doing a thing
you found anything to help Bob
Just a thought, I saw further down in posts you’re on Seritde & Ventolin so I’m just guessing you’re asthmatic! Have you measured your peak flow? This will show how well asthma is under control as early hours of morning are usually when asthmatics find they’re worse. You may need a dose review (if you have asthma see the asthma nurse for a review - take your peak flows morning and night, chart them and take them to the nurse.
Could it be paroxysmal AF that happens during the night when asleep. When many years ago mine was PAF it took years to diagnose as it was so intermittent. Hope you get some answers soon
thank you
Yes peak glow is decent better than non asthmatics I’m starting to wonder if I actually have asthma or it’s this issue to different levels
Just a thought here: Do you drink alcohol in the evenings? In my working days, I'd have a glass of wine (or two) at dinner and would wake up at 2 or 3 a.m. either in a-fib or with breathing problems. After realizing the connection, I stopped all alcohol. Could that be the source of your problem?
good point I thought the same so I stopped drinking totally and still a issue
76 years old with A F
apixaban and hematuria 
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
