I made an appointment to see the GP yesterday because I was becoming really breathless. I normally walk 2 to 3 miles a day, but have been struggling to do that recently. It was the nurse I saw, who checked me over and BP was pretty high, but pulse only 42, so she went to talk to the doc, who said to cut out my atenolol for a week, and then they’ll do some blood tests. I was cut down from 50 mg to 25 mg of atenolol about six months ago because of slow hb, and they stopped my 2mg perindopril too. I’ve been on atenolol for 40 years, and it was stopped once before and I had to ask for it again, because I felt like I’ve aged 10 years in 4 days, now I’m taking nothing, and that awful feeling is happening again. Should you not have a gradual reduction of a beta blocker or am I being a big baby? Just a bit scared of the funny feeling in my chest.
Would like some advice please. - Atrial Fibrillati...
Would like some advice please.
Hello, I see you put this post on a good few hours ago - if I were you I would start by calling 111 as they will ask you specific questions to what you’re describing - they are usually nurses and will know by your answers whether you should be seen tonight. You’ve obviously had blood pressure issues and been on medication - feeling scared is not being a big baby, it means something is going on that should be checked by professionals as your fear will send your blood pressure up, if your pulse is t normally around that figure - please just give the 111 a call just to put your mind at rest. Let us know how you get on
I put the 111 number and that’s for the UK but I’m not sure where you live sorry if that’s confused you
Thanks for replying Afib, I live in Scotland so 111 is the number I’d call. Think I will in the morning, though the nurse said I’d get used to it, and to try to persevere, but at my age I just want to be calm and comfortable, not a nervous wreck with worse AF than normal. 😱
only you can guage how you feel but if you still feel anxious or scared or symptoms worsen don’t hesitate to 111. I hope you feel better very soon x
Thanks for that. Much appreciate your reply.
Hi
Beta Blockers are not dramatic for high H/R but are better with BP.
cheri JOY
I have read that beta-blockers should be reduced slowly, too, so I would be worried about just stopping. However, 25mg is a low dose, so your doctor might have the experience and knowledge needed to give the advice that he or she has. If you are feeling unwell, I would phone back and ask for guidance, mentioning you've heard about the usual need to reduce slowly. I've been told to take up to 5mg bisoprolol, another beta-blocker, as I feel the need, and usually I take 1.25mg and only occasionally. Given that, it's always seemed to me that these drugs are essentially safe and that their only side effect is to reduce heart rate or blood pressure beyond comfort.
Steve
Thanks for reply. Feel better this morning, but not doing anything, when I even just go upstairs, hr goes way up. Can’t really sit and do nothing all day (or can I)
I have many days like that where my heart rate jumps straight up to 130 or so if I do much at all. I was told to press on regardless but I struggle to do so as it is usually accompanied by mild chest discomfort which I don’t like.
Steve
You know you actually can. Hard isn't it. Try taking it easy for today.
Hi Cha, I'm no expert on beta blockers but the older version (propranolol) that I'm on does warn against stopping suddenly. So although the GP has chosen to cut yours presumably due to low HR it's perhaps not surprising if you're having a bumpy ride. I do hope it settles down soon. I'd keep your GP posted, and if necessary get a second opinion. As Flipper suggests call 111 if you're uneasy about what's happening. And this forum is full of brave people, and you're one of them, so no you're not a big baby!
I have learned not to ask my GP cardiac questions. He is a wonderful doctor however what he says often contradicts my cardiologist and EP he doesn’t do it on purpose. It’s just he seems to have a different mindset and at the end of the day, I think a heart doctor knows best most of the time.
I’ve only seen a cardiologist twice, and one of them I saw privately, so I have to rely on the GP mostly, but I do agree with you. Would love to see one privately again but, unfortunately can’t afford to, as my husband is ill and might need the money.
I am lucky with my form of health care. The GP is used to direct only and do general things such as immunizations, etc. sore throats, but other than that they have doctors that they work with that they will send you to five different specialties they all work out of the same hospital as well, although my heart doctor works out of a specialty heart hospital connected to the other all on the same campus. This way, my GP has a list of all procedures and medication’s at Cetera that have been done. This is more for the benefit of the insurance company. I have no doubt. I actually have not seen my cardiologist and I won’t until my pacemaker is up and running and clear right now. Everything is with my EP and his cardiac nurse. Usually it is the EP himself. He is very hands-on, very passionate about helping us, and very with today’s procedures, etc. to give quality of life. After I am all settled, other than my quarterly check ups of my pacemaker, I will only see my EP, once a year most likely. He works hand-in-hand with my cardiologist, so I am happy about the arrangement and my cardiologist is close to home.
As we can see even exchanging information here, a fib, etc. changes constantly. I don’t see how my GP has time to keep up on this and I don’t believe he can unless he had a real interest in Cardiology. It’s just too much for everyone just as my cardiologist is not an EP regardless of how great he is. I have asked certain questions and I am deferred to my EP I like the respect they all give each other. Best of luck. I don’t know how your doctors are trained compared to here everything is so specialized.
I see you are in the USA, but it seems completely different to here Dawn. In Scotland where I am, no one seems to see an EP, at least, I’ve never been referred to one. At the moment, our NHS is crumbling, so it seems to be difficult to even see a GP, and if you’re over 70, it’s almost like you become invisible. However, i won’t let that happen!! 💪🏼
I have noticed all of that since being on here I’m very sorry that all of you must wait. Here it is normal for your cardiologist and EP to work together from the start. Once my pacemaker is up and running next week, I will see my EP for follow up and then not again for three months. My cardiologist will take over my care with my medication’s etc. and will be the link to my EP. They were canned in hand behind the scenes. As far as age, I feel the same that you do about being invisible at times. I have been very lucky with doctors, but also made sure I wasn’t being thrown in a box marked old people. There definitely is a mentality out there. I see it with the government here that once we stop working and producing we are disposable. Thankfully, my doctors do not view me that way. My EP explained to me about not repeating mistakes meaning things that did not succeed and getting the quality of life he believes I deserve. He said, at this point after the past year of a fib, a flutter and extremely high heart rate constantly my heart and I have had enough. At 70 we don’t want to waste time we want to enjoy whatever we have left I think. Finally, I have a doctor that really gets it.😊. The other one I had left me in tachycardia for more than eight months, which is why I am a mess. I am right now but about to get better.
Tachycardia for eight months? How did you stand that? I’d be climbing the walls, but you sound as if you’re doing that too.
Good luck with the pacemaker, I might have to get one too at some point, and I might need to ask you some questions about it. You take care of yourself.
I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but trust me it was not. I was barely alive is how I felt. I didn’t climb the walls because I couldn’t even walk down the hallway to the bath without stopping and feeling ill with pain.
The pacemaker is in, and I go back to the hospital Monday to have it connected as well as have the AV node ablated. It was a rough week mainly because you can’t move your arm and as it starts to heal, you can feel it pulling a bit. It was not that bad even though I was a crybaby about it lol they checked my incision this week and we’re very happy about it. He did an excellent job. I will barely have a scar by the looks of it. They also removed my loop recorder the same time. The doctor wanted two weeks for the leads to heal and they are a bit. Monday is the big day I hope. I was really dreading again going back in, but then I realized they won’t be touching where the pacemaker is. It is strictly through the femoral artery. I’ve had that done several times already. Thank you for your kind words and if you ever want to ask anything feel free. If, you do end up talking about one with your doctor try to ask him about one that you can have MRIs taken. Most of them are like that now, but it doesn’t hurt to put it in their brain. I am just realizing I have quite the one that has been inserted. It is called HIS pace bundling it is a very new pacemaker, and without this particular type, I would only be going deeper into heart failure according to my doctor. At least they are working on new things all of the time if they didn’t, I would not be getting this chance.
Thanks for all the info Dawn, very helpful, but my goodness what a time you’ve had. Wish you the very best of luck on Monday, and hope all goes well. Will be interested to hear how it goes. 🤞🤞
I thought I wrote you but I don’t see it lol that’s the foggy mind of a fib at times I probably forgot to send.
Thank you so much. I am looking forward to it believe it or not. I don’t know if they will send me home or not. I may not post until Tuesday late in the day if things go like last time. My doctor is very protective and may keep me again. I’m usually not a good sleeper, but if he keeps me, I will probably get a good nights sleep lol it’s called medication
thank you for being so nice
Best of luck tomorrow Dawn!
Good luck with the pm. I had mine fitted in September and the AV node ablated November and I’m 80 next birthday
my story is similar to yours and now contemplating getting a pacemaker. My question is , I understand the pace and ablate but I am very confused how this helps AFib. I’m assuming I’ll remain in AFib so won’t that still lead to heart failure? Also as I’m very symptomatic how will I have less symptoms? Lots of people say they have gotten their quality of life back ! I want that as well! Thank you and hope you’re feeling well
Gracey23. I was also confused I always thought a pacemaker was just for people with slow heart rhythm. They have so many new things now they want to help us all.
The way it was explained to me is think of the ablate first, although it needs to be done second for obvious reasons. The ablate is going to block the natural pacemaker AV node area that we all have. Mine and possibly yours are not giving the right instructions to the heart. I’m sure that’s not the technical term but it works for me so right now my heart is beating much too fast and all over the place I also have a typical flutter. Once they connect me, they will ablate the natural pacemaker that means it will no longer function. It’s gone so to speak. Yes, I will still have a fib, but it will not matter. A fib will no longer have a voice in how my heart will beat. The new pacemaker will be in charge of everything. That means from now on the heart will get the right directions on how to beat and how fast it should beat. My doctor will set it. Today I am in the hundreds again. He will be setting me between 60 and 70. I’m not sure yet. He will tell me Monday when we meet there are reasons for everything they do. That is a normal heart rate for most people at rest at least. That gives the heart a chance to rest and no longer be exhausted. It means it will be able to pump blood normally because that is the speed that it can get all the blood to where it needs to be. Otherwise it just can’t keep up with everything. have you ever inflated a bicycle tire with a hand pump? If you try going much too fast, don’t you get exhausted and you probably don’t get the tire pumped up right anyway. In my head I try to picture the way it’s working.
If our heart beats too fast the different sections are not working together. Normally I picture them taking turns where it goes from one section to another until it goes around and start all over again again if they go too fast, all they are doing is exhausting our heart. The heart cannot keep up with what it’s telling it, so we are not getting blood flow, meaning oxygen and circulation to all of our parts including the brain but just remember normally it’s like a circulating pump all of us inside needs oxygen and blood to keep going. This is why a fib can so easily cause a blood clot and stroke. The part not working, right the AV node has blood pull up and if it sits there, it turns into a clot that can go to your brain very fast. This is why my doctor put me on a blood thinner even before they had a full diagnosis. I am very grateful for that because the idea of a stroke terrifies me.
For all purposes according to my doctor after Monday, my heart, no longer relies on the natural pacemaker. It’s all about the implant. I have not been taught the app yet although I have it, I will be able to see everything right on my phone as will my doctor and the company. They all have my back if anything appears not perfect. Your phone can even give a particular sound to let you know something is up. I find this amazing. I don’t know if I am home Monday night or sometime Tuesday after the procedures throw me a PM if you want and I’ll let you know how things went. I have an appointment first week of March to meet with the doctor and tech again I think to fine tune
as far as heart failure according to my doctor I am at the beginning of it, and if this all goes the way it should then it could actually turn my heart failure around. He said this could be life-changing for me on Monday. From what the tech and doctor have also told me, it’s similar to when a cardioversion can put you in sync again, NSR it is that fast that you are going to feel a difference because of your circulation, etc. I felt that miracle after my cardioversion even though it didn’t last and I would be so excited to feel that again may be forever. I feel as though I may be given a second chance in life. I was not thrilled about a pacemaker to begin with, but thankfully people on here got me over the fear as did my doctor.
I can only give you my view, but my doctor has been fabulous talking to me. He talks to me not at me. He cares about quality of life, and when it comes to age, it does not matter to him. I believe some doctors write us off at a certain age. This man also doesn’t do what his seniors want him to do lol he does what he thinks is right for us not to make money for others. As he said, he could repeat oblations and cardioversion’s and medication‘s he believes in getting us to quality of life in the shortest distance And not redoing mistakes. If you read about him, you would see how brilliant he is anyway, he thinks outside the box according to some but everything he uses is for real. Some of them are just more comfortable to use so doctors don’t try new things.
so sorry for the novel I’m feeling very excited right now I am trying to stay positive that this is going to work and by this time Monday I am going to feel not like a new person maybe more like the person I took for granted who was fairly healthy. To have energy alone would be a beautiful thing.
Best of luck just remember you are right about a fib. It is not going anywhere. It is not curable yet, so it is going to sit there the ugly little thing. But the doctors have found a way to ignore it so we can sit there all at once, but it’s not gonna make you miserable anymore.
best of luck to you on Monday! Yes I’ll def pm you as you have calmed my nerves! You are truly a wonderful kind person to take so much time out of your day to rely to me, thanks so very much means so much
honey write to me anytime. People here have been helping me, and if I can share with you, even though we are not exactly the same I am happy to do so. I am actually learning in real time just these past couple of weeks. I am happy to say my doctor is a great communicator. I am pretty sure on Monday. He will come to see me again before the procedure and again go over everything positive and negative if there is any, we don’t want to hear at all but we need to. I think of this is my second chance living again I want you to think the same way no more a fib. Yes it is still in there picture it is a naughty child with a silly hat on sitting in the corner lol , I’m an only child I always had a good imagination lol probably Tuesday I will post and send you a note also just to say hi 😉 keep the faith I am😊
bottom line and I will make this one short lol a fib will be put in a timeout box never to be heard from again lol it no longer matters to your heart. Your heart has a new leader, called your pacemaker.
I think this must vary by area. I’m in Scotland and was referred to Cardiology on diagnosis last year. The cardiologist referred me straight on to an EP. It did take 5 months to get that EP appointment, but I then had an ablation within months.
Certainly the NHS in the whole of the UK isn’t in a good way at the moment, but I think there is a wide variation by individual area. When my sister was unwell, she moved to sheltered housing in a different part of NE England. It was virtually impossible to contact her GP, though the emergency services were still great. The other sister, just miles away, had far better GP access.
It is also possible to make a private appointment to see an EP - this costs around £200. Some people do that, but get referred back into the system for treatment. You will likely see the same consultant as you would in the NHS, but you will see them more quickly. We certainly have the same high levels training for all of our health staff. EPs have been cardiologists before they do the extra training.
The tabloids tend to have an agenda, and they play into our concerns about not getting the help that we need. Strangely the same papers don’t seem to like the idea of higher taxes either…. but that is getting political.
Yes I think it must. I know by reading the problems on this site, that a lot of you are much worse than I am, but ablation has never been mentioned, or seeing an EP. My AF is beginning to get worse now, and my GP says I’ll have to see a cardiologist again soon, so hopefully it won’t be too long. Thanks for your reply Gumbie Cat.
That’s great that your GP has suggested seeing a cardiologist. I was meant to have a telephone appointment with the cardiologist last summer, but by that time he had referred me on to the EP. So I had a very quick phone call to say he was cancelling, as he had seen that my EP appointment was already made for a few days later.
Mine has worsened quite rapidly - and the rate shoots up on exercise, but also dips into the 40s. I’m still in the blanking period after my ablation, and it looks like it has not helped really. Just a matter of waiting for the next appointment - I’m listed for cardioversion, but not sure if they will suggest a second ablation.
Best of luck with getting yours under control too.
Thanks for that, and let me know how you get on. 🤞
Hi
I understand that you don't stop cold turkey unless you are
moving to another one or CCB calcium channel blocker.
cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)
Thanks for your reply Joy
This is what happened to my husband on Monday. He is in permanent AF and on Sunday had funny turn didn't know me couldn't obey my instruction to sit down. Over in seconds. Spoke to 111 who said doc would call back. He did 15 hours later at 2.30am!! Hubbie was fine but I took him to urgent care. at 1pm Saw excellent paramedic who said pulse 43 concerning but as he felt ok.... said not to cancel doctors call.I suggested omitting atenolol when he rang he agreed and on seeing GP at 10am ( was standing outside surgery at 8 to make appt.) She said stop atenolol. I asked if that was ok without tailing off ( he's been on it 40 yrs too) she said no it's fine and will chase cardiology appt. He has multiple heart issues.
Did read reduce activity for a while when stopping betablockers until you've adjusted.
Hope you get some answers.
Beta blockers made me breathless just walking to the kitchen to make a cuppaI was on the lowest dose.Verapimil lowered bp and heart rate beautifully before my ablation last May for flutter.
Hi
I agree for Metroprolol. Breathless.
CCN Diltiazem 120mg AM with Bisoprolol 2.5mg PM
Worked.
Apparently Beta Blockers work on keeping Adrenalin out.
CCB calcium channel blockers. work on keeping Calcium out.
CCB works keeping H/R dowm. Mine was dramatic 105 less a minute.
cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)
I have to go back to see the nurse on Wednesday for blood tests, so hopefully, she’ll ask the doc to give me something else. Thankyou.
I wonder about atenololI take it.much higher dosage to cut high. Heart rate it maybe causing slow beats to be slower..i
Thanks. You could be right Quilter.
Good evening, I was on Atenolol for a few years then my ankles started to swell so GP stopped it and put me on a BP tablet a week later I had a stroke. Two doctors said it was ok to stop beta blocker but the third said you should be weaned off it. Luckily I am fine it turned out that I had AF. This was 12years ago and have had three ablations. Hope all goes for you.
Thanks for your reply SJ. That sounds really scary. I’m going to phone my GP tomorrow, because I can’t do anything at all without my heart rate going crazy. Not nice.
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