Bisoprolol

[TheGrinch2]

I was diagnosed with afib December last year and prescribed bisoprolol 2.5 mg.I am waiting to see cardiologist ,but my pulse rate is irregular when resting. My afib I think is persistent, does anyone know if I need to up doseage of this med,as I feel a bit rubbish of late.

[BobD Volunteer]

Bisoprolol is a rate control drug to keep your rate down. It will not stop AF regardless of how much you take so speak to your doctor about any changes. We are not medically trained so must not advise.

[TheGrinch2 in reply to BobD]

Thanks for that

[ruffity]

I've taken bisoprolol since going into AF 7 or 8 years ago. It seems to be the goto med for AF but, as far as I'm aware, all it does is reduce the pulse rate. It will also bring down blood pressure a bit and may help, but is unlikely to stop the irregular or ectopic beats on it's own. It's also thought to reduce the chance of going back into AF once normal rhythm is restored.

2.5mg is a low dose so you could discuss raising it with your GP. I'm now out of AF but still take 3.75mg, which was bumped up to 7.5mg when I went back into AF last year.

Which reminds me, that despite taking it for so long, I don't know that much about how it works or what it does, and nor, I suspect, do most GPs. Perhaps some wise owl here could tell us both more.

BTW, it can be sorted. Shortly after going into AF 7/8 years ago and feeling pretty bad, I had a cardioversion which pushed me back into normal sinus rhythm, and back to normal, until about 9 months ago. I've since had a second cardioversion and now back in NSR again. Just hope it lasts as long as the first. It's a very quick and painless procedure, but doesn't work for everyone or last so long, so ablation might be the next step.

Whatever the cardiologist suggests for you, I hope it works as well for you as cardioversion has for me. Good luck.

[TheGrinch2 in reply to ruffity]

Much appreciated

[mjames1]

You can't guess at what is going on. You need to document it with ekg's. Either at the doctors or at home with a device like the Kardia6L, which many here find extremely helpful. If you are indeed in continuous afib, then they have to decide on a treatment course. It could be rate control, rhythm control or ablation. Not as simple as just raising bisoprolol dose.

Jim

[TheGrinch2 in reply to mjames1]

Will try get an appointment to speak to G P thanks

[Omniscient1]

Echoing BobD here, bisoprolol is a rate controller. It won't cure your AF as I was told by my GP. It often has the effect of making you seem tired etc, This is most likely the bisoprolol not the AF.If you stay on it then you need to get the optimum (best for you) dosage. Definitely go see the GP. Best of luck, Gary

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Omniscient1]

Thanks for that,seems right.Problem has been my G P surgery is a poor do.Im waiting for cardiologist appointment and having to monitor myself and chase treatment,and don't really know what I'm doing.I'm so grateful for this site and all of you.The only thing G.P has said is if I have dizziness or palpitations to go to A/E ,don't think he or the nurse has any idea .I will take your advice an d ring and ask about meds.

[DawnTX]

No one should play with their own medicine. It’s so easy to go from normal to toxic with some of them.

Bob is our guru here among others you are new with afib you have a lot to learn. It is a constant learning, and then you’ll need to learn some more, because if it does not make any sense.

[MacGrumphy]

I have been on 5mg of Bisoprolol a day for over twenty years now. As I grow older my attacks of paroxysmal (occasional) AF have become more frequent. I had twelve in 2022. I am eighty years old . As soon I realise I am having an attack I am allowed to take a further 5mg. This guarantees (in my case at least) that I will revert to sinus rhythm within two or three hours.

[TheGrinch2 in reply to MacGrumphy]

Thanks for that

[DawnTX]

Now Mr Grinch. That is a question for your doctor. Don’t play with your meds please. You can go from normal to toxic in a heartbeat so to speak.

[TheGrinch2 in reply to DawnTX]

Yes understood your quite right ,I will speak to Dr.