Bisoprolol and asthma

[Wheezy54]

Hallo thereTo cut a long story short,three weeks ago I had quite a serious heart event ( ventricular tachycardia) and have been prescribed 2.5 mg of bisoprolol daily. It's successfully brought down my heart rate and put my heart into a regular rhythm. However, it's really exacerbating my asthma and irritating my airways . Feel like I've swapped one problem for another. I wondered if anyone else with asthma has had experience of this drug. Did the side effects settle down?? Is there a beta blocker out there which suits asthma better. Thankyou so much

[Poobah]

Beta blockers can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Time for your cardiac specialist to discuss your treatment with your asthma specialist and about the potential for a Selective Beta Blocker. You can see more details on the British Heart Foundation website, bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Patk1]

I've severe asthma(& other lung probs). Did yr dr start u on a lower dose to begin with? Its best to do that & increase slowly. I'm on much higher dose+ have tolerated it well for svt.id speak to gp + perhaps discuss lowering the dose to see if it eases asthma + controls vt. Youll also need to know if u can take yr current dose if u feel vt go off.I've been on it for many years

[Wheezy54 in reply to Patk1]

Thank you both for reply. Patk1 that is reassuring.

[Homely2 Administrator]

I had an irregular heart beat, that they stabilised with bisoprolol, it is one of the better beta blockers re asthma. I had it for about a year, impossible to tell if it effected my asthma, but it was not obvious. A new asthma consultant asked for me to come off it, just in case. My previous consultant did not mind it.

Interestingly when I came off it, my irregular heart beat was no longer on the ecg, when they checked. If my Asthma is OK, my heartbeat is OK, or so it seems.

Where I live the cardio consultants and respiratory consultants meet once a month, to discuss cases like yourself. So actually my respiratory consultant is well used to this sort of discussion re balance of risks. So I would raise the matter.

[Ern007]

Hi Wheezy54.

I was hospitalised with ( ventricular tachycardia) - Ambulance toook me straight to (coronary care) bypassing A&E - I collapsed in bed but was brought round, very scary,

I was not given bisoprolol or any other beta blocker because of my (COPD/Asthma) - I was given "Amioderone 200mg" daily after a loading dose.

Amioderone can cause problems later, eg it affected my Thyroid but it vanished the VT, there are other drugs also eg"Flecainide"

( ventricular tachycardia) is more than just anirregular heartbeat and needs treatment, if Beta Blockers are affecting your Asthma, then you need to see your GP or Cardio to see if something is more suitable for you, as I put there are drugs than control VT which will not affect your breathing like Beta Blockers.

VT is managable, just getting the best treatment to control it, I am now on 100mg Amioderone to deter VT and to treat AF.

Hope this helps and am sorry for late reply.

[Wheezy54 in reply to Ern007]

Thankyou so much. Yes it was a scary experience for me too

[Poshcards]

I have a heart problem, recently diagnosed, but my GP said I cannot have any Beta blockers or heart medicine, because I have asthma

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Poshcards]

I'm not an expert but has your GP said you can't have any treatment at all for your heart condition due to asthma, Poshcards?? This doesn't seem right - others on this thread have said their doctors have discussed what is ok or not for them, rather than just avoided all medication. If your heart condition needs treatment then that has to be taken into account too.

I would have thought your GP should consult specialists to work out what's needed and safe for you instead of just saying no treatment due to asthma.

Poobah has posted above with a link about beta blockers, but you can also see this page on the British Heart Foundation website where you can get support. bhf.org.uk/informationsupport - they have a link to call a cardiac nurse for advice. It might be helpful to call them and ask - I'm sure you won't be the only one in this position and they can advise what your options are. If they're like the ALUK nurses, they're probably good at practical advice too. Wheezy54, this could be helpful for you too as you're in a similar position.

[alvariam]

I was diagnosed with asthma 18 months ago and was hospitalised. At the time I was on bisoprolol a very low dose due to having AF. Two doctors were in agreement that it could bring on asthma symptoms. I was promptly taken off bisoprolol and put on digoxin. Unfortunately asthma persists but is controlled.

[WheezleSneezle]

I’m on ivabradine for my heart. It doesn’t have any effect on my asthma. My blood pressure meds are candesartan and prazosin. I am also on two diuretics. None of those cause me any problems either. I have never been able to take beta blockers. They really mess me up. I have severe eosinophilic and atopic asthma. I would definitely try to see a specialist. There are a lot of heart meds out there and it surprises me that a doctor would say you can’t take any of them. Sounds risky.