Hi, to everyone this is my first post

[Anthemis]

I have also been taking 7.5 mg Bisoprolol for the last 2 years due to heart palpitations and high blood pressure which I was told was due to heart disease despite never having any tests apart from an initial ECG on the first consultation with a GP I had never met before and that was it.

Having always been careful with my health and weight and no previous history of heart problems i was really shocked by the heart disease statement from the GP and find it difficult to believe that this is the case, so I’m still taking the pills, walk the dog and feel ok, although I am still aware of some background type of palpitations.

I have always been an anxious type of person which I think is hereditary but this increased during and since the menopause (which I mentioned to the doctor) and I have often wondered if this is linked to the palpitations and blood pressure?

I would appreciate any feedback or similar problems that others may have experienced as I still feel completely in the dark about what is really going on.

[christina1947]

I would ask to see a cardiologist that’s an high dose of bisoprol you may only need 1.25 at least .My GP told me i had an ageing heart and was heading for a pacemaker gave me an urgent cardiologist referral. The cardiologist said it was routine not urgent and I had ectopic PVC s I am now on 1.25 bisoprol

[Anthemis in reply to christina1947]

Thanks so much for your response, yes it does seem a high dose but he kept increasing it from the lowest dose as I was still getting the palpitation problems and high heart rate. Gp never mentioned referring me to a cardiologist

[Hatchjd]

My husband was put on Bisoprolol, aspirin and atorvastin after complaining to his GP of angina type chest and left arm pain when walking uphill. His heart rate was in the 90-100 range. With the beta blocker it slowed to 60-70’s He continued to have chest pain so was seen by a cardiologist and scheduled for a CT angio which turned out to be clear!! The Bisoprolol was stopped and his heart rate jumped back up which he was concerned about. The cardiologist told him the pain wasn’t cardiac and there was no evidence that people with higher heart rates had any more problems than those with normal or slower rates. I think you need to ask your GP for a referral to your local cardiac clinic. The routine testing is EKG & treadmill stress test and often echo cardiogram. These may give you a more accurate diagnosis of the cause of the palpitations.

[Anthemis in reply to Hatchjd]

Thank you for your helpful reply, it’s the not knowing the cause which I’m having difficulty with so will certainly follow this up.

[ThePlanter]

Suggest you ask for a referral. Did you GP take a blood test and look at your cholesterol levels? If you have high BP something is going on and remember drugs only reduce the risks of high BP but do not address the causes.

You can reduce your BP very effectively by modifying your diet by reducing inflammatory animal proteins and fats and processed food and increase your consumption of green leafy veg, flaxseed (ground and kept refrigerated] and high potassium fruit and vegetables. See Nutritionfacts.org (an evidence based not for profit website) on the causes of heart disease and how plant foods can help for a list of foods that will bring your BP down. Keep monitoring your BP as dietary changes will work quickly and in conjunction with the beta blocker they may bring it down too low. If you feel dizzy/ on getting up, see GP or nurse for BP check to reduce meds down to zero.

Re your anxiety, you can try some of the meditation apps like Calm and Headspace and you will find 5-10 mins here and there will help to reduce anxiety and BP. Also suggest you keep off high sugar products (in all their forms) and eat smaller and more frequent meals to maintain an even blood glucose level to avoid dips and peaks which will affect your mental wellbeing. Lastly magnesium tablets are good for managing anxiety 300mg daily split into two doses.

I have palpitations at night following consumption of high sugar/caffeinated drinks/dark chocolate/alcohol but do not have a problem otherwise.

Final thought: the more you move towards a plant based diet, you will change your microbiome, the community of bacteria and microbes in your gut. You will be aware of the gut brain axis, so your mental wellbeing is

a function of your gut. A healthy gut has a a high diversity of healthful bacteria which give you good physical and mental wellbeing including optimum digestion and immune function. In trials patient were asked to eat between 8-10 veg and fruit a day and after two weeks, their mental well being was substantially improved, as measured on before and after mood scores, so was their sense of happiness and sense of purpose.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Good luck

[Anthemis in reply to ThePlanter]

Thanks so much for your detailed reply which is much appreciated. GP did not check my cholesterol but I requested one a few months ago which was within a safe limit. I am a vegetarian and have always eaten for health, plant based plus seeds, pulses, live yogurt etc. So do look after the gut, I also take supplements Vits D, B12, & a small selenium supplement. This is why I can’t really understand what the problem is.

I rarely visit the GP and do not know him and do not wish to waste his time, but only went as the palpitations were becoming troublesome and I wanted to find out the reason why it was happening but was also told it was to do with my age, heart disease and put on the meds.

I tried magnesium as I had heard it could be beneficial but it made no difference to the palpitations, same with the B12 supplement which is high enough.

Meditation has not stopped the palpitations and I have experienced during meditation although they are much more subdued due to the Bisoprolol.

I have pets, enjoy the garden and regular walks and have plenty of energy and do not tire easily so I don’t really believe that I have heart disease and i do not become breathless despite the pills.

Potassium should be ok but I will take your advice and check it out.

[Lezzers]

If you're having blood tests done ask for your Potassium to be tested as a high potassium diet may not be suitable for you. My husband wouldn't be able to do the above diet as he does have high potassium.