Low pulse rate

[Mabrook]

I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and had an episode a few weeks ago and had been on Dilitiazem. Doc prescribed 2.5 mg biosopralol. I have found that now my pulse rate varies between 55 - 47 beats a minute and the blood oxygen saturation level is on average 93 -94%. I am a little breathless on exertion. Is this normal for a 78 year old female? I am worried as I live alone and have no one for advice.

[Trog1]

Hi, after my emergency CABG last year at the age of 58 I started getting some paroxysmal AF (which was at first thought to be a worsening of the ectopic beats which were diagnosed over 25 years ago) and within my other meds was initially prescribed 1.25mg bisopralol. This was upped to 2.5mg to help the heart rate and thus cut down on the AF which the cardiologist who treated me felt strongly is worsened by my after shock anxiety (I had no idea I had heart a problem until my HA and discovery of a genetic disorder which led to emergency surgery). The condition is now more under control but I too can suffer from a low heart rate which varies on resting between 46 and 55. I spoke with my GP who doesn’t seem overly concerned and we are assessing things over a period of time as he doesn’t want to reduce the bisopralol and the AF start to get worse. After lockdown I intend to have another chat with him as I would like to reduce back to a lower dose if I can. I too suffer a little from breathlessness on occasion but make sure I do a good walk each day (anything between 1.5 and 6 miles if the weather permits) as the hospital said when I left I must eat healthily and keep up the exercise. If you are concerned I would suggest you have a chat with your GP as he can assess and explain things which would probably make you feel much more at ease. Take care.

[Mabrook in reply to Trog1]

Thank you for replying. I decided today that I would half the 2.5 mg bisopropol tablet to see if I felt better and less breathless as my oxygen saturation readings were low with a lower pulse rate. I'm going to phone the doc on Monday to see if a lower dose of 1.25 mg is better for me. My pulse rate seems to be 49 -51 per minute. unfortunately I'm unable to exercise as I was waiting for a knee op. which looks as though it will not happen for ages yet! Funny how these problems seem to crop up at weekends when the surgery is shut!

[Trog1 in reply to Mabrook]

Hi again, thanks for your reply. I can see where you want to sort things out with your tablets. However, before actually reducing them, I would personally check with the GP or cardiologist before doing so. This is why I have waited during this period because of reducing my dosage. As I get AF too I wouldn’t want to aggravate it and make myself feel worse in the long run before going over it with my GP. Obviously any decision you make is up to you but, if you can phone and speak to your doctor Monday to sort it out you will only have to wait a day and you may feel clearer once you have had a chat.

All the best.

[Mabrook in reply to Trog1]

Yes, that is good advice and I will do so on Monday. Ive been reading other entries by people who have the same observations of low pulse rates and realise that mine is not too bad although the dose is possibly making me a little breathless on moving about. Thank you for your comments. Much appreciated and all the best yourself.

[bantam12 in reply to Mabrook]

I reduced my dose to 1.25 then when I got used to that went up to the 2.5 prescribed, AF nurse said that was ok to do and to tweak my dose as needed, I also take mine at night so any side effects don't mess up my day ! I do have a pacemaker to stop the slow heartrate, wouldn't be able to take Bisoprolol without it !

Check with your AF team or GP.

[Mabrook in reply to bantam12]

Interesting to hear that you can do that. I believe I was on 1.25 mg at the start but in my last delivery of medication I seem to have been given 2.5mg which may be an accident. Only noticed this when I checked the tablets on feeling a little breathless as I had not felt so beforehand. I am going to check with the GP tomorrow.

Thank you for replying and the advice. So good to know there are folk at hand for advice which is a boon when one is alone. All the best.