I have just been diagnosed with Afib and have to take beta blockers and blood thinners which is very scary and overwhelming. I am just waiting for my prescription to come through.
Has anyone got any positive advice when starting the meds.
I have hypothyroidism and a hiatus hernia. I get a lot of indigestion so don’t know if it’s to do with the hernia or Afib. Has anyone else experienced this.
I get a lot of dizziness and am struggling to do much at the moment even walking is hard.I will be walking along and my heart starts beating really fast. I get it when I am eating as well is this normal?
I would appreciate any help I just want to feel better. It doesn’t help that I have a phobia of taking medication. 🥲
Thank you 😊
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Cat-222
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Thanks. Bisoprolol is a betablocker and Edoxaban one of the new anticoagulants.
I have been on 5mg Bisoprolol and my anticoagulant, Warfarin (Coumadin) since January 2010 (aged65) when I was first diagnosed with paroxysmal AF. As Jalia in her post starts off saying .... "don't be too alarmed at your AF drug prescriptions" ............ keep calm and carry on. Again, I totally agree with Jalia when she says ..... "( warfarin in my case) and really have no problem with it. I consider it to be my friend."
Look upon these drugs as your friends, never be afraid of them. When Jalia ( and many others) and I were first put on Warfarin ... that was the only anticoagulant available - all these newer anticoagulants were babies in the development stage. Also never loose sight of the fact that all medication will be just fine for many peeps, yet in many other cases they won't work. Do take the time to read the paper in the packet .... it's an information sheet that discusses for the patient many, many aspects of the drug in the packet, including the various common and not so common side effects. Then of course if you need to explore things further come back onto this AF Forum.
My GP has offered me the opportunity to move away from Warfarin to the newer anticoagulants but I have declined. I have always had a great time with Warfarin - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I even have my own testing device, I get my test strips on prescription, I have a great relationship with the INR Clinic at my surgery who monitor and advise on my Warfarin doses ... brilliant. I'm now 78 and still work part time 30 hours a week - yes, even with all my meds rattling around inside me. I drive buses for a major national bus operator operating College bus services during the College year and of course I still drive my Nissan Juke, both locally and long haul.
In the beginning of my AF journey I found digestive issues would trigger my AF. Long story short, I consulted a Nutritionist and over the years following her help I am now AF clear. Can't remember my last AF event, somewhere between 18 months and 4 years ago. That said, I still have to be very, very diet aware ... but .... its a small price to pay.
I wish you well, keep calm and try and live your normal life BUT most of all treat these meds as your dear friends.... and enjoy your work and not just your work per se but the social interaction that a working life gives you.
Thank you for your story. Wow amazing that you are working at 78. Good for you it gives you a purpose and it’s good getting out and meeting people. I love that, I work in a Health Food Shop and have really nice customers I chat to and have a laugh. Really helps me.
I have digestive issues which are obviously worse when I am stressed. I might think about seeing a nutritionist. I have been so tired I haven’t felt up to cooking much but hopefully now I will feel better I can do more.
I have my Daughter and Grandson coming next week so that will be nice.
If you do decide to go down the nutritionist route go to the BANT website (British Assoc of Nutrionists and Therapist - I think) and you'll find a search box in which you can put in your location and find an approved Nutritionist near to where you live.
Hi Cat. I like you have only just been diagnosed with AF after 7 years of uncomfortable symptoms which were put down to regurgitating heart valve(s). I’ve now started taking Edoxaban as well as the Adizem for my hypertension. I did take Bisoprolol for 3 years after being diagnosed with regurgitating heart valves but the side effects of lethargy and constant diarrhoea took its toll and my medication was changed to Adizem. I have only just started to take the anticoagulant medication and like you, I feel wary but understand the consequences of not taking it. Like you, I have suffered dizziness but have discovered making sure I’m hydrated really helps. I drink at least 10 tumblers full of water during the day (apart from my hot drinks) and sip water when I visit the bathroom during the night. It was good to read John’s story and has really boosted my confidence in my meds. Chin up, we can do it.
Hi Cat-222, don't be too alarmed at your AF drug prescriptions. It is very important for the vast majority of us to be prescribed a ' blood thinner' ( anticoagulant)to protect against the risk of stroke so do be diligent in taking this above all else. I have been taking mine for about 20 years ( warfarin in my case) and really have no problem with it. I consider it to be my friend.
As far as the beta blocker goes, you should find this a great help in steadying your heart rate so give it time to work and get your body used to it. Hopefully this will help with your raised rate when walking. If you don't find it beneficial then get back to your prescriber for an alternative.
I also have a hiatus hernia and hyperthyroidism. I'm taking 75mcg Levothyroxine as I believe you are from your posts. I was prescribed a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) for the hernia & a related problem some years ago....Lansoprazole....and have no indigestion problems at all now. You should seek advice from your GP about suitable medication.
As far as your eating problem goes the general advice here from us AF ers would be to avoid eating heavy meals, particularly late at night,and concentrate on smaller meals maybe more frequently. The usual advice over healthy choices goes without saying 😀
Thank you for your response, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I am panicking, I have a phobia on taking medication and so scared of the side effects and how they will affect me. It just seems one thing after another.
I am taking Lansoprazole but still get I digestion, it’s worse at the moment obviously with this new diagnosis. The leaflet in the thyroxine states the sides effects could be fast heart rate and palpitations so was wondering if that’s what caused it.
I have had it for some time and it is getting worse.
All these things go through my head, will I be able to drive and work. How long will it take to get used to the medication etc. I am starting tomorrow and will be at work so hopefully I will be OK.
I am nearly 63. Since I turned 60 it’s one thing after another.
Have you mentioned the indigestion to your GP? You may need to increase the dose of Lansoprazole. Have you had your thyroid levels checked recently to ensure you are taking correct dose?
None of these meds should affect your driving. You may well find that the beta blocker will make you feel more relaxed anyhow. I remember when I first took a beta blocker I felt quite chilled out and to my surprise my handwriting became quite perfect instead of my usual rushed scrawl ! Now I don't know whether that's a normal response but it was very real for me.
Do give the beta blockers a fair trial. You know why you should take the 'blood thinners'. Adverse reactions to these are not common but again there are different ones to try should that be necessary.
The indigestion had settled down, I just think with my anxiety being so high at the moment it’s made it worse. I am hoping the beta blockers will help with my anxiety. I do deep breathing but sometimes I can’t calm it down.
I am having my thyroid checked on Thursday as well as a full blood count.
It does seem strange to me if the beta blockers sort out my fast heart beat why would I need blood thinners.
Thank you for reassuring me, it makes me feel better and I don’t feel so alone with this.
Cat, you have been diagnosed with AF which is an irregular, usually fast heart rate. The beta blocker is intended to slow the heart rate and may as a result assist return to a normal rhythm in some instances.
You have been prescribed Edoxaban, the 'blood thinner 'because once you have had an AF diagnosis ,even after your heart rhythm has returned to normal, AF can return for even brief periods at any time. You may be completely unaware of it, eg when you are sleeping. The risk of stroke will still be there and is said to be 5 times higher in AF patients and can be particularly devastating. Most people would rather take a daily tablet to help guard against the possibility of developing blood clots causing this type of stroke.
She has hypothyroidism and been diagnosed with AF.
She doesn't need to have a stroke like me!
Because of hypothyroidism I got AF and then undiagnosed of thyroid cancer I had a stroke.
I believe anyne with AF a irregular heart beat should take precaution in taking an anti-coagulate.
I had a stroke at 2am one morning. After I had mown my 2 small lawns with a rest in between. It was late September in NZ.
My rapid heart rate should have been controlled by Metoprolol a beta blocker but at 186bpm Day avge it was not. Changed to BB Bisoprolol reduced to 156bpm Day avge but no pauses at night was still not controlled. It helped the bP.
It was the CCB which controlled and Diltiazem 180mg took me down 105 in 2 hours.
I am now controlled BP by 2.5mg BB Betoprolol PM
and
controlled Heart Rate by 120mg Diltiazem AM.
Strokes should be prevented. I'm almost 4 years post with cancer removed by thyroidectomy. 2 out of right lymph nodes removed were infected. So just in time.
I take 125mg Synthroid t keep TSH at 1.0-2.0.
Also I keep B12 @ 700 level. I take 1000ug Solgar nugget for 2 days week.
Allow her to know the risks if she doesn't take anti-coagulant. I chose PRADAXA 110mg x twice day.
Hi Joy, thank you for your story. I did wonder why the question was asked. It is best to prevent a stroke. Sorry to hear you had 2 . Hope you are feeling better.
I am sure my hypothyroidism has contributed to this. I take thyroxine and the side effects can be irregular heart beat and palpitations which I have and have slowly got worse. It just lucky I had some private insurance and saw a cardiologist. I had tests done on the NHS and it took 3 Months to get the results. So it has taken along time to get a diagnosis.
I have started the meds and so far so good. Just hoping things improve. I am having my bloods taken tomorrow to get my thyroid and other things.
Hi, I have suffered AF since I had open heart surgery way back in 2008 which is quite common after heart surgery. I am on Warfarin which is due to the surgery plus I am also on Levothyroxine fir a long standing Thyroid condition. Beta blockers made my heart rate too slow so I could not take them so, as I was unable to take medication for AF, I have recently had a Pacemaker implanted. I have never had any problems with taking any of the medication apart from the Beta blocker and the very slow heart rate.
Hi Cat, I to have AF although i think i have had it for a couple of years but being a man i just thought i am getting older and carrying a bit too much weight, was the reason i thought i was getting out of breath when exerting my self.
It got worse in January this year so off to the doctors i went thinking he would probably give me an inhalor or something. He didnt he gave me a referral to the local hospital to see a Cardiologist, telling me i was suffering some degree of heart failure.
Cut a long story short the Cardiologist carried out an ECG and an Echocardiogram and told me i was suffering with AF he straight away explained that i must start an anti-coagulant as with AF you are a higher risk of a blood clot which can give you a stroke, he prescribed Apixaban which is one of the newer drugs available, i thought i dont want a stroke so i started taking the medication, having read about some of the side effects i was concerned but the other option of not taking it and having a stroke is not worth considering. I can honestly say the only side effect i had was a couple of short nose bleeds and if i bruise myself the bruise stays visible longer.
I am also on other meds as well as my regular blood pressure medication of Bisaprolol i am also now taking Furosemide and Entresto and Dapagliflozin, i used to get indigestion and my doctor prescribed Omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) so now indigestion is a thing of the past.
It came as a shock to be told i have heart failure but as the Cardiologist said most people in later life are suffering some degree of heart failure but some dont know it yet,and there are lots of things they can do to help, as for me i am feeling much better on these new meds, with no side effects at all, shortness of breath has decreased a lot, and with only a couple of nose bleeds and a bit of bruising i had nothing to worry about. In fact i see the Heart Specialist Nurse every couple of weeks who monitors everything very closely, checking blood etc to ensure the dosage is correct for me, even telling you when on a new med what side effects to look out for.
I dont mind saying i was concerned at first, i have been on here asking a few questions of more experienced people, i have also contacted the heart nurses on here on online chat who were very helpful.
I am not medically trained at all but sometimes its good to talk to someone in the same boat as yourself, just drop me a message if you want to chat or if you need specialised help talk to the nurses on live chat, most of all stay positive.
Hi Alpha, thank you for your response. I am trying to stay positive but it’s all scary and overwhelming. You don’t expect these things to happen.
Thank you for sharing your story. It helped me a lot.
I get out of breath and suffer with a lot of dizziness and fast heart rate. I wore a monitor for a week and my heart rate reached 130 beats per minute. My blood pressure isn’t too bad and can get high especially if I a feeling anxious or stressed.
The Cardiologist has given me 2.5mg of Bisoprolol and 60mg of edoxaban.
I am just hoping they suit me and my symptoms will improve and have no bad side effects especially as I have to work and drive.
It is for sure tough for around 2 years at the outset of your AF journey.
Tests, medication, learning a lot, change of lifestyle.
The good news is that you have found this Forum. I hated the thought of taking drugs also (mine is an antiarrythmic one called Flecainide); started at 60yo and the result has been 10 yrs virtually AF free with many lifestyle changes which give me currently excellent quality of life at 70yo with 🤞less chronic issues in the future 😁.
My suggestion would be persevere, don't panic and chances are you will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about.
For homework put Lifestyle into the Search box top right.
Important to accept Lifestyle changes that work for you as an individual will take time to identify and take effect; not all will work. Most people I suspect don't have the patience for it and just want the 'silver bullet' answer from their medics; that often comes with a long term side effect cost. The answer for me has been a 'hybrid cure' - one drug plus a host of lifestyle changes.
I would say the most important changes was cutting business (I run a small Social Enterprise) and personal stress and sorting out health issues in particular gut/digestion. To achieve the latter, I have consulted an experienced Naturopath and Nutrionist. Also, moderating exercise.
Lastly, take early action on personal anxiety. My cardiologist referred me to a psychologist type professional (sorry forgot their title) - I had 6 sessions. After that I worked on spiritual mind calming, for me that was Mindfullness, prayer and walking to interact with Nature in attractive countryside.
Don't be put off by all these and other suggestions, just start on one and keep going. I am still doing that myself 😁.
Hi Cat.Welcome, you're in the club no one wants to join (not an original line but it's quoted often here). There are more than a million of us in the UK.
Lots of sound advice here, and if you browse the AFA site, and this forum you'll pick up more.
(There's a thyroid forum on here too somewhere).
Some of us have it permanently (ie continually), some of us have it come and go. Weirdly, the first type is probably less traumatic.
You may find, as the beta blocker slows you down in general, and has an effect on blood pressure, that you might want your dosage altered, ie reduced, so keep an eye on this in the coming weeks.
Thank you for the welcome. I didn’t know it was so common as you don’t hear of anyone having it.
I appreciate your advice. I have had the symptoms for quite a while and they are getting worse so I do need help. It’s so scary to think you are a high risk of a stroke. I am feeling overwhelmed and scared which I guess is normal.
I suffer with anxiety and have a phobia of taking tablets. Hopefully the beta blockers will help calm me down, not too much though hopefully.
Hi Christine,You're not alone on thinking like this on first diagnosis, but it's better to know than not.
Joe Biden has it, one of the van Tuleken brothers has it, etc.
The anti coagulant you are on won't make you bleed to death if you have a small cut but it will protect you from the still small but higher than normal risk of stroke. It's a good thing.
Last thing from me search 'york cardiology ' on YouTube. We all think Dr Gupta's videos are pretty good.
I had almost forgotten how worried I felt about my AFib diagnosis in 2017 and taking the Edoxaban.This forum was such a help.At the moment I am AF free after Ablation but I would be happy to stay on Edoxaban always.I have no problems taking it.I personally cannot cope with beta blockers so my initial medication was Adizem (Diliatezem).
Look at it this way you have an early diagnosis and receiving treatment.
Good luck and post your questions on here.I am sure it will help.
I am so pleased I have found this forum it has been a great help.
I have had the symptoms for some time eg racing heartbeat and dizziness and feeling weak and having no energy. I put it down to my hypothyroidism. It could still be as the side effects of thyroxine is an irregular heart beat and palpitations.
I am pleased to hear you are doing well that gives me hope.
I'm on dilitiazem instead of bisoprolol because of asthma and Edoxaban which is like Apixaban. I was in a total panic for months when I first had Af but have learned that the meds will help a lot and stressing will make it worse. Try to be as calm as much as you can and try mindfulness which helped me.
I find my heartbeat increases when I've eaten and digesting. As someone else has mentioned here, eat small and often and not too much in the evenings. I cut out caffeine and most of my sugar intake and try to have a natural diet will less processed food. I stopped drinking alcohol, lost 2 stones, and had an ablation which has all helped enormously.
Monitor your reaction to the drugs and ask for help if you need it. And remember that AF alone won't kill you. Best of luck and if you need anything message me or post again x
Thank you for your advice. I am in total panic and feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I am trying to stay calm but it is difficult. Hopefully the beta blockers will help.
I know stress makes it worse and the symptoms of my hiatus hernia. It doesn’t help that I am working and trying to deal with this. I have taken today off as I feel I can’t cope. I will explain to my Manager what is going on and hope she understands.
I thought AF was dangerous as when your heart beats really fast it can cause blood clots.
This is all new to me. Hopefully I will feel better soon.
It can be dangerous and lead to a stroke but the anti-coagulants stop this, which is why it's a good idea to take them. Try to keep your mind busy with something else- I find this helps, and ket us know how you're getting on . We've all been through this and come out the other side, so you will x
I have xanax 0.25 mg on hand , it helps with I get nervous , I just take it when I feel I NEED IT! Afib made me a wreck too, but my heart doc just have DECAF drinks!
That sounds much as me, really, especially while or after eating. I get AF and a racing heart infrequently and it comes and then goes for months at a time. I hope yours will, too, as it's such a relief. As well as occasional AF, I get daily palpitations that can often be quite hard going. It all seems linked to my indigestion and HH, like yours, but I've come to think, over time, that it's maybe more likely that the heart causes discomfort in the same general area as the reflux (i.e. below the left rib and into the back). I just don't know but the cardiologist I saw was of that view. I strongly suspect yours is an aspect of your thyroid issues, or perhaps blood pressure if that is also affected by the thyroid.
I'd hope that like me, you might well get somewhat used to its effects over time and with the medicines. It's the racing (i.e. tachycardia with a rate of 100+ over long periods) that needs to be sorted as it's not good to allow that to happen as it can weaken the ventricles that pump to the lungs and body. That's why beta blocker drugs or similar drugs are so useful, when they work, as they are the least likely to cause important side effects.
HI i was the same, and it takes time for the drugs to kick in and get the right dose and the right drug. Last December I couldn’t walk as far as the car on the drive without stopping and why every hospital is built with slopes from the car park is beyond me! However i now walk the dogs twice a day without thinking and carry on daily life. I still get a bit breathless but only climbing stairs. At the beginning I couldn’t see it ever changing but it does and this. Forum really helps and makes you realize that unfortunately there’s always someone worse off.
Cat, you may think AF is uncommon but it's far from that. I can guarantee you will know lots of people who have the condition. The luckier ones have been diagnosed and know they have it, because they are the ones who are assessed and treated. Controlled AF does not affect your life expectancy - people live to a ripe old age having had AF for half their lives.
Relax. It's a condition, that's all. At first it feels scary because it's your ticker and you think of that as your very life force, don't you? You expect it to tick away silently like a Rolex and suddenly it's thumping and bumping, running fast and/or erratically!
Thousands of us have been there. Once you get your treatment plan in place and get used to that, things will surely calm right down for you and you'll get on with your life. There are a host of medications and procedures used to treat AF and other arrythmias, some of which will be appropriate for you.
Meanwhile if you haven't already, make sure your account settings on here have 'daily digest' ticked so that each morning you get 4 or 5 threads to read that are about your subjects of interest. Almost everyone on this forum has felt the way you do now and lots of us are willing to help, inform and reassure. You will learn lots, and increasing your knowledge will make you feel much more in control too.
Thank you so much. Your advise has been really helpful and made me feel a lot better.
You are right I am lucky it has been found and is treatable. I had a man come in my shop yesterday and had no symptoms. The doctor found it when she was checking his pulse. I did wonder why they check it every time you go to the doctors.
Sorry to hear about the AF. I’ll tell you what I was told when I was first diagnosed. At first, yes, it’s a bit scary but I have constantly been told by my consultant and cardiology team that AF won’t kill me !
The first and most important thing is that they need to stabilise the symptoms. Look at this way, get it into your head, you have to take the meds and there’s no choice. The meds you have been given will help and u may feel a little yucky till you get used to them but they certainly will help and there may be a bit of trial and error re types and amounts at first.
Once that’s stabilised there are several things that they can do to fix things, I assure you.
I am not a Doctor but am entitled to tell you this from my own experience. Don’t lose hope, take the meds. I found drinking plenty water and breathing better does help. I monitor my blood pressure and heart rate and after some procedures (that’s another story) I am currently now out of AF 👍🏻
There are some great people and learned/experienced people who have helped me on here and you can speak to a cardio nurse at any time just by phoning the British Heart Foundation.
Well said Dave - lots of plain water definitely calms my heart too, along with avoiding sweeteners and too much caffeine or alcohol, although I enjoy all 3 very much!
AF is often described in here as a 'mongrel' condition, Cat. That which worsens arrythmia in one person has no effect on another. A drug which works wonders for one person may make another quite ill. And so on. Even the condition itself can be radically different from one person to the next.
You'll find your own quirks as you go forward and the sooner you can stop worrying that something awful is going to happen the better, as emotional stress is one thing everyone agrees makes arrythmia worse.
Hi Cat. It's all very scary I know. I too am 63 this yr and was diagnosed about 18 months ago. I did not want to take a blood thinner or a beta blocker, I was frightened of side effects. But had to, so I am on 60 mg of edexoban and 1. 25 of bisoprolol. This group is fab to share worries and get tips and advice. We are all in it together and am sure you will be fine.
And on the increase. Drugs and treatments are improving all the time and there are a number of new procedures entering the arena. Two very common procedures you may discuss with a Cardio nurse or consultant at some stage are Cardioversion and ablation. I can tell you from experience that neither of these are anything to be afraid of. They are procedures rather than operations and most folk are in and out of hospital on the same day. If you go down the medication route you will probably have an initial period of trial and error until you find the combo that suits you best. This is nothing to stress about either. I hope you are reassured and are starting to feel better about it. You'll be fine!
The beta blockers have slowed my pulse down to 52 beats per minute. I felt so dizzy when I got up this morning, not nice.
Having to go to work in a bit won’t risk driving will take the bus. Wish I could afford to retire. I am 62 so another 4 years to go. My wish is to retire and do volunteering and get a dog. I have 2 cats who keep me company. They are adorable.
This condition could be classed as a disability but you have to have it uncontrolled for a year to claim anything.
We’re almost both in the same boat - I am 62 and I was diagnosed in January of this year . I told my cardiologist that I didn’t want to take any meds - boy did he laugh and then explained the odds stacked against me if I didn’t! I also ( annoyingly) have CHD ( a partially blocked heart artery as well) which I believe makes AFIb a little more dangerous for me, especially since my AFib comes with RVR ( rapid ventricular response). I’ve just an awful attack when I was in holiday in Majorca and ended up in intensive care and had to be cardioverted with meds via a drip. So 5 months In from taking the meds they had worked brilliantly, but then I’ve had a bit of a blip.
They’ve now put me on a drug I’m very keen to get off asap ( amiodarone) it had some very nasty side effects.
So like you I’m pretty in fear of my AFib at present, don’t feel they have it under control and am looking forward to seeing my consultant on Wednesday to chat through next steps. Having been assured in January that I’m ‘medically optimised’ I now obviously feel that I’m not! I am normally really a a very fit healthy 62 year old who has always looked after myself.. I’m pescatarian and mainly plant based nutrition wise. I’ve not drunk alcohol since I was discharged almost 4 weeks ago., but have still had 2 short AFib sessions since then ( 30 -60 mins with high heart rates of 140 +) .
I think this forum is amazing and as a relative newbie I am learning so much. For me I am still very much at the scary end of it all and very much looking for are to them getting my AFib under control.
I am on throid meds and I have Afib! I take metoprolol 25mg , a day, I take one half of this pill in the morning and the other half at night, which is a beta blocker! I take ELIQUIS a blood thinner , 5mg in the morning and 5mg at night! I was scared about this meds too but I HAVE been on these for 3 yrs now, you will be okay!
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