Heart attack victim

[Megan2013]

I had a heart attack five months ago which required me having stents put in one of my meds is Bisoprolol which I want to stop taking, has anyone who has stopped taking Bisoprolol been ok with this and has had no side effects or very little

[CarlGreen]

Hi Megan, I had a heart attack in June and 3 stents fitted, (So about the same time as you!) and was put on Bisoprolol.

My heart rate went quite low (about 44 from memory) and I wasn't happy about taking it, so I checked with cardio nurse and doctor and they agreed that it could be stopped.

I did not know about cutting down and then stopping it, and as I hadn't been on it very long (Only about a month and at the lowest dose possible) I just stopped taking it, and did not have any side effects.

That does not give you carte blanche to stop!!!!!

Check with your cardiac rehab team who are the best people to advise you on this.

As a side note, my heart rate did increase after stopping taking it, but not by very much, it now rests @ 52

Hope this helps and stay safe.

Carl

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to CarlGreen]

I would agree with Carl. Only do it if after discussion with your Cardiologist (or GP).

You were originally given it for a reason.

[sm_1016]

hello Megan,

My HA was September and I too wanted to stop taking Bisoprolol as I’d been short of breath a few times. Is that why you want to stop too? I wondered why they had me on it as my resting rate was always low 50s, sleeping rate mid 40s. The leaflet of side effects was quite scary and I wondered if it was all psychological so I spoke to my GP two weeks ago.

They assured me I was on a low dose (2.5mg once daily) and asked me to cut down my high dose statin instead (my cholesterol has always been low). Since then I’ve been fine and I hope it continues. As others have said, best speak to your GP or cardio team first, to be on the safe side.

[Jay777]

It’s early days, keeping your heart rate low is taking pressure off your heart and helping it recover.

Please see your doctor as if Bisoprolol is causing an issue the dosage can be changed or alternative prescribed. If you can it would be useful to log your BP twice a day to help your doctor decide best med/dosage.

I initially had Atenolol which made me very sluggish, I stopped after a few months but stayed on Ramipril for 18 years. Recently prescribed Bisoprolol 2.5mg with no issues.

[Prada47]

Hi Megan

Did you trust the Cardiologist to put Stents into your Coronary Artery ??

If that's the case I would trust him to prescribe the best medication for yourself.

Hands Face Space to Stay Safe or Lockdown which ever !!!

[080311]

Hello, before you stop taking any medication prescribed by your cardiologist you must seek their advice. You don’t say why you want to stop, I take Bisoprolol along with other drugs after open heart surgery. This drug is given for a reason, to help our hearts, if you are having side affects speak to someone and discuss your problems.

[Scotter8]

I have had 2 heart operations in 4 years, firstly a Triple Heart Bypass, and

secondly (3 yrs after the first) two stents fitted in groin. Initially I was given

2 bags of drugs. As I have always believed and taken alternative medicine, I

made the choice of no drugs for me. I know this is unprecedented, but we all

have to make choices in life and this was mine. I binned all the drugs and relied

on trusted and tested vitamins and alternative medicine. I have been wonderfully

well, I was out of hospital after the triple in 3 days, driving at 6 wks and painting

garden sheds at 6 weeks. The only problem has been my groin. It became very

painful and had a scan after 1 yr. I was told they found nothing However it has

become extremely painful over the past year, in fact agonising. I am now on the

list for another scan. There must be something wrong to have so much pain.

I understand it could be a Hernia.? Although I am on the urgent list for a scan

I was told by my Surgery to ring the Hospital to see when I would get an appt.

The Receptionist told me July!! I am nearly 76 yrs of age and thought I would

be very high up on the list - obviously not so. I rang my Surgery who rang the

Hospital. I was told it could be near Christmas! We shall see. That is the

ONLY problem I have encountered in 5 years (both were emergencies).

I thank God I have had 5 wonderful extra years given to me and am confident

my groin will be sorted. I take freshly squeezed garlic regularly ie. daily, or

every other day or at least 3 times a week - thins the blood and has so many

other benefits, is excellent for the heart. I squeeze mine (2-3 cloves depending

on size) in a Prestige steel squeezer and put into half cup fresh orange juice or

milk.

[Musicl]

I had a heart attack in January, and was put on bisoprolol among other meds. I was taken off it after four weeks, as it made my asthma worse. I had no problems coming off it, but was only on it for a short time.

[wizzy18 in reply to Musicl]

Did they give you an alternative medicine?

[Musicl in reply to wizzy18]

No, I cannot take beta blockers on account of asthma, nothing else was given in its place