Feeling signs of intermittent AF while on Bisoprolol

[Gaz4545]

Hi I am on 5 mg of Bisoprolol for AF and mainly feel ok albeit out of breath sometimes.my question is I still suffer AF for 2/3 days every so often and is this normal ? I appreciate AF never really goes way but am concerned as I thought the medication should combat this? .. thanks for reading

[OrdinaryGuy]

Not sure what your situation is but those with regular/permanent A/F should be on a combination of Bisoprolol (Betablocker to control the pace of the heart I think) and an anti-arrhythmia medication. Check with your GP or Cardiologist and/ or telephone a Cardiac Nurse at the BHF.

[Gaz4545 in reply to OrdinaryGuy]

Will do and thank you

[Grannymurray]

Hi, I too take Bisoprolol, and suffer badly from the side effects from it, I had a quadruple heart bypass in June last year and have been put on it since then, although previously I took it for high blood pressure but changed to different medications because of the side effects. At the moment I am finding it quite unnerving because I get symptoms that I could put down to AF, along with other ones but my doctor does say if a medication can cause side effects I will get them, I am very susceptible to side effects from medication. I really don’t know what the answer is as I am really suffering at the moment so I can truly sympathise with you. Wishing you all the best.. Grannymurray.

[beardy_chris]

Bisoprolol is a rate control drug not a rhythm control drug. It is often the first choice of drug for treating AF. When the rate is under control, you should experience AF less often and it should have less impact but it won't go away. Rhythm control drugs may have even more side effects.

BTW there is an AF forum on HU which you may find more helpful.

[Gaz4545 in reply to beardy_chris]

Many thanks