Hi everyone,
I’ve been feeling a bit weird lately - like I have AF back but when I check it’s not. However I’ve noticed my sitting down heart rate is 53-55. That’s lower than normal for me.
I have my old permanent AF headache back too and that throat feeling. I’m def not in AF though.
Cardiologist in March.
prob should see a doctor before then? Any suggestions?
Yes, I'd see your GP, but first of all check that it's not caused by you not drinking enough fluid. Are you on any medication for your heart now?
Jean
Sounds like your circulation is weak, leading to headache and slight angina? Do you have an oximeter? Please tell us what the GP says ❤️🩹
I’m still on Apixiban, Bisoprolol, Ramipril and Statins.
No I don’t have an Oximeter. Is that something I should get?
I will get a docs appt.
Thanks
It is handy and they don’t cost much. If your SATS are suddenly lower than acceptable you know something serious is going on. But they don’t work well measuring HR in AF.
I wouldn't worry about that heart rate as it is quite normal.Mine tends to do a long cycle from 60 to 43 over some years.
Some mornings it is 38 and increases to 58 during the afternoon.
Bisoprolol can cause my HR to go to 53-55 some days when sitting and other days not. Have you started a new packet of Bisoprolol? Different manufacturer perhaps than you’ve had before? They do vary in their effects I find and even some from the same manufacturer sometimes.
Last week too, my HR was going lower than normal, but it’s back to where it usually is for some reason ( which is still low, due to the bisop).
What is it usually when sitting down?
I got an emergency doctors appt luckily and had an ECG there too. She thinks I should stop the Bisoprolol so from tomorrow I am. Blood tests next week but she said she wasn’t worried.
That’s an interesting answer about the Bisoprolol as clearly the doctor is on that thought trail!
Thanks ☺️
Hi
For me Bisoprolol then @ 10mg still left me with rapid and persistent AF H/Rate Day. It does control my BP though even 2.5mg.
So for me CCB Diltiazem 120mg for H.Rate which I take AM.
And BB Bisoprolol 2.5mg for BP which I separate from above and take PM.
cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
HR is very much related to the person - my normal HR is mid 50’s and that’s absolutely fine for me but it may not be for you if that’s not your normal rate. Bisoprolol brought mine down to mid 40’s (low ish does of 2.5mg) and that was definitely not Ok for me - felt like a zombie
I wouldn't go 'cold turkey' with the Bisoprolol if you've been taking it for a while. Definitely better to reduce gradually. Stopping suddenly can be quite a shock to the system and cause problems.
I thought it was best to wean yourself off bisoprolol slowly cutting down to lower dose over a couple of weeks before coming off completely?
Bisoprolol is known to really lower heart rate. I’m not sure what doseage you are on, but it’s advised to not just stop, even if you are in the minimum. You need to slowly reduce to avoid any withdrawal effects. Did they advise this to you?
I was told to stop taking 1.25mg of Bisoprolol after just three days as it brought my heart rate down too low in the 40s! Don’t think there were any side effects but did not feel quite so tired! But we are all different and must find what works for us as individuals with the help of EPs.
I expect that after taking it for just three days, the Bisoprolol dose didn’t have much of a “hold” on you. It has always been advised to stop Bisoprolol slowly, especially if taken for a longer periods. I had severe effects after being on it for only 6 weeks, but I tried to come off too quickly, based on poor medical advice. .
You had an ablation I think? So, maybe you don't need the Bisoprolol anymore. However, do be cautious about stopping suddenly as I understand the withdrawal symptoms can be unpleasant. Are you able to contact cardiology and ask them for advice? I had an arrhythmia nurse for 18 months following my ablation and she really helped with managing coming off meds.
You'll need to check with a doctor, but I spent yesterday with a low rate and the same kind of chest discomfort I get when I have AF - yet I was in sinus rhythm (with ectopic beats). I also have a wide QRS caused by a left bundle branch block, so I put these things down to that, even though I was told that that doesn't cause symptoms. My doctor seems unconcerned. It's quite frustrating.
Steve
I am on 1.25 Bisoprolol- doc said just stop. I haven’t taken it today and I’m working from home today and tomorrow so should be fine!
Thanks for all your excellent replies, as usual. 👍🏻❤️
I do wish you luck, but if you get any sudden heart rate surges or panics, do please consider perhaps taking half for a week ( you can cut them with small scissors believe it or not 😊) then perhaps half every other day for a week then stop, or even slower if you feel the need…hopefully not though. GPs don’t always realise how powerful that little pill is and they don’t have to take it.
It’ll take about a day for the HR lowering effects to leave your system and a few days to leave completely.
I’m only speaking from bitter experience 😊
Take care.
Thankyou, I’ll do that!
I’m not mad, promise!
My heart rate was regularly in the 40s when I was in normal rhythm and on a fairly high dose of bisoprolol. The cardiologists I've had have had varying views - the first wanted me to stay on a high dose and wasn't concerned about my low heart rate. The second agreed to lowering it very gradually when I complained of being short of breath on exercise. The current cardio seems to think that heart rate in the 40s is too low!
It definitely seems like a good idea to discuss with your doctor, as you're getting symptoms.
Hi
Have your thyroid checked. TSH, T3 and T4.
also B12. over 60. 700-800 level. under 300-500 level.
I was very lightheaded when CCB Diltiazem 180mg 1/2 dose. Reducing it to 120mg and losing 6kg leaves me at 60s Day now. Good one.
cheri JOY
The same thing happens to me. I go in spurts (like for 7-10 days) where my heart rate goes down to 53-59. I feel lightheaded if rate goes below 60. I take Diltiazem 300 mg and Propafenone 425 mg. I will mention to EP at next appointment.
Biso and ramipril together can overdo the HR and BP. My understanding is Biso works to HR but also reduces BP some. Ramipril lowers BP but also lowers HR some. So there are other BP drugs they might be better. I'm only on Biso when I'm in AF.
my average is 51-53 at rest. At night it drops to 47. An episode will raise it to 140.
De Sanjay Gupta the York cardiologist says it’s just a number, we are all different, if you feel well with a low rate it’s fine,if you don’t. Check it out .
76 years old with A F
apixaban and hematuria 
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
