Hello I am new here.......

[Ann2703]

......so thought I would introduce myself. I have been taking Amlodipine 5mg since my late twenties for high blood pressure and am now 41. Since the summer the heart palpitations became more severe and the blood pressure was less controlled. My GP referred me for blood tests and a monitor and the outcome is diet changes for hypokalemia ( low potassium) and increase dosage to 10mg of Amlodipine as a way of medicating the Arythmia and Ectopic beats.

The outcome was more severe this month when the palpitations increased and exhaustion so bad.

I have since had a heart scan to look for thickening of the heart muscle ( normal) and a BP monitor for 24 hours. The cardiologist is now starting me on a beta blocker called Bisoprolol Fumarate 2.5mg to calm my heart down.

The emotional roller coaster of this story and the anxiety ( which has not helped the problem) now is made worse by the side effects on he medicine box!

Does anyone else take this?

I also have a stressful job and the normal life stress that people experience but I really feel I need to take stock of my situation and look after myself a bit more. Where do I start? I exercise ( when I have the time) and am relatively healthy ( but haven't felt it recently)

The last few months have been very frightening but also useful to talk through with a cardiologist.

🤗☺️

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Ann and welcome to the forum.

I am on bisoprolol as are many here, lots of differing side effects, fatigue, depression and others.

Exercise, very good for you, lowers your cholesterol, lowers your BP and lessens your stress, you should make/find time. Walking a good start, if you work in an office get up and talk to people rather than email or calling, if not get off the chair every 30 40 minutes and have a wander round the house or whatever you can

Is it possible to remove some of the work stress? Very difficult I know but maybe there is a way?

[Ann2703 in reply to skid112]

Thank you Skid112, I definitely need to start doing more exercise but was too scared to follow my usual routine because I was previously feeling so dreadful. Doctor said to carry on as before but a bit sceptical of starting biking/running again at the same time as starting a new drug.

The job comes with some stress and I find it hard to switch off but it will be my New Years resolution to strike a work/life balance as our health is more important.

I will post here again once I start to see the good (and hopefully not negative) effects of the drug.

😀

[skid112 Heart Star in reply to Ann2703]

I can understand your reluctance. I am not sure in your situation whether you will be offered cardiac rehab, this is a class designed to give you more confidence in what your body and heart can do post an event. I think in your case i would be waiting to see the effects of the new meds, they will slow your heart rate, do you have a monitor, fitbit or similar so you can note?

The work stress is something only you can alleviate alas, I am in a more fortunate position that I am giving it up in a few months, stress and long hours do not make for an easy heart, I have already given up the after hours work via the infernal work email device, so I do switch off, well try to, when I leave for home. If you too take work home this way try and leave the blackberry/whatever for a couple of days a week, your health is more important

take care

Mark

[Ann2703]

Thank you Mark, I do not have a fit bit but I'm seriously considering getting one!

I have a good boss and so will be having a conversation about long hours and workload.

I am looking forward to feeling better and getting back to normal once the meds start working.

Ann

[skid112 Heart Star]

Good for you, we have a fitbit club here healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...,

the more the merrier with some good natured teasing and encouragement