New to beta blockers, some advice please

[Joanne197]

Any advice? Bisoprolol

I’m 45 and just been told I have high BP and my heart is pumping too fast (?) not sure if that has a real name! Been put on 2.5 mg of Bisoprolol and 2.5 Ramapril. My BP is at around 120/75 now but I feel grotty even after a fortnight. Very tired but having mild pains across my chest...mild, not anything that really worries me. Is this normal when you start taking medication and does it calm down? Also if you know what a pumping too hard heart is actually called , please let me know

Thanks

[lettingoffsteam]

Hi Joanne, is your heart pumping too hard, too fast or both?What is your pulse rate at rest?Some people do get chest pain from bp meds...I did to start with but you should always mention it to your doctor. I did and was checked out. It's good that your bp has come down. I'm on ramipril but not bisoprolol but I've been told it makes you feel tired.I certainly recognise the pounding heart symptom but that has settled a bit too.Hope you feel better soon.

[Joanne197 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Thank you for reassuring me. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. Just a bit scary and if I tell my loved ones I have chest pains they’ll freak out. 😂😂😂 thanks again and hope you continue to feel better

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Joanne197]

Thanks Joanne, you too.😀

[Hidden]

I'm on 7.5mg of bisoprolol plus 10mg ramipril, 10mg amlodipene, ticagrelor plus other pills I can't remember at the moment.

My memory hasn't functioned properly since the HA. I get fuzzy headed, I have poor short term memory, and my thinking process can be muddled. I talked to my GP about this and they are of the opinion that I must have suffered mild brain damage when my heart stopped. The oxygen to your brain stops immediately and brain cells die.

Things do settle after a while but for me, they'll never be like they were before the HA. It's the price we pay for still being here 😊.

You'll get used to the new you soon enough 👍.

[Prada47 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Snoweybm

Did you have a HA or a Cardiac Arrest, I didn't think having a Heart Attack would affect the oxygen supply to the brain !!! I stand to be corrected as I am not 100% sure of my statement.

Hands Face Space Vaccinate to stay safe

[Peony4575 in reply to Prada47]

He said his heart stopped. So the circulation of oxygenated blood to his brain would have been paused . Heart stoped cardiac arrest same thing

[Hidden in reply to Prada47]

It was a HA. I was dead for 2 minutes. No heart beat so the oxygen supply had stopped to my brain.

[Joanne197 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, we will indeed battle on. I hope you continue to recover too. New me is giddy and creepily calmer.

[Mart25]

Good morning Joanne, Like others, I'm pleased to see your resting blood pressure is now normal. The wording of your message suggests that your heart was (a) beating a bit too fast and (b) working a bit too hard and raising your blood pressure. I don't think there is a technical word for "pumping too hard" - the medics think about it in terms of things they measure : ie. heart rate (beats per minute) and blood pressure. The combination of bisoprolol (a beta blocker) and ramapril (an ACE inhibitor) are doing a good job for you. The bisoprolol mainly works to slow your heart rate while the ramapril relaxes your blood vessels and makes it easier for your heart to pump the blood around. You are on relatively low doses of both - but it looks like it's enough. You might have been told a target systolic blood pressure (the larger number) and 120 is certainly a good target but you may be advised something different. What you don't says is what your resting heart rate is now that you are on the meds - between 60 and 70 beats per minute would be good.

I was put on bisoprolol 2.5mg in July and have not experienced tiredness. I'm not on ramapril. Things may settle down as your body gets used to the meds but I think you should mention your tiredness and chest pains to your GP. You don't want to stuggle on with these things if they can be avoided. By the way, I find that I worry about my heart and I know this mental stress doesn't help me sleep or relax.

I hope this helps a bit. Good luck!

[Joanne197 in reply to Mart25]

This has really helped, starting to make sense now. I am feeling much more reassured after this. It’s funny, I’m not a daft human but if it relates to anything heart related the brain flips to horror mode. I would have lost my marbles but they left me years ago 😊

[onadiet in reply to Joanne197]

I know it's just good to talk to others .Reassuring

[onadiet in reply to onadiet]

It's not daft to feel scared and anxious .Is what we all feel and yes we all need reassurance.

[Clerkenweller]

It does take time for your body to adjust to the meds. Two to three weeks is not long. We are all different and our bodies respond in different ways. It is not uncommon for people to have a difficult time with beta blockers. If you search bisoprolol on this site you’ll find examples. Give it time but keep a note of the symptoms and if nothing changes talk to your cardiologist or gp and they can tweak doses or try a different drug. But it sounds as if they’re doing the right job.

[Joanne197 in reply to Clerkenweller]

Thank you, have my first cardiologist appointment in two weeks so will bug them with my worrying 🙂

[Ianc2]

Hi JoanneDo you get any regular gentle exercise? Lifestyle can be very important in keeping your heart running smoothly. There are many people on this site who believe in making dietary changes and keeping fit.

Regular gentle walking being one of most favoured methods.

The BHF have rehab routines available on youtube that you can look at and think about, as well as advice about heart healthy diet suggestions. Have a look and see what you think.

[Joanne197 in reply to Ianc2]

Thanks , just looking at it now. Really helpful😊

[Joanne197]

Thank you all so much for your replies. It has really put my mind at rest. I am hoping to do gentle exercise in the future , I have (not related) been referred to a burns unit after a very stressful surgery that hasn’t healed since September . My heart rate and BP has shot up since then but there was no damage to my heart, So I am in a lot of pain on a daily basis which can’t be good as I can feel my heart thundering if I am having a painful moment (it comes in waves). I just wanted some reassurance as I am getting a lot of medical information thrown at me and when I reflect it’s overwhelming . The doctors/nurses caring for me have been amazing but I tend to lose track so this has been very helpful. Thank you all for taking your time to help me 😊

[ChristineK in reply to Joanne197]

Not sure about the affects of Bisprolol, as I was on it after HA, but it affected my breathing (asthma), so was taken off it. As for Ramipril, I had to have this changed over to Losartan as it caused a dry cough. I have suffered tiredness all along, and apparently, all blood pressure meds, ie Ramipril, can cause tiredness. I hope that this is of some help to you, and you get your problem sorted out soon.

[Pommel]

Hope you get it all sorted out soon! I was very sleepy for a while when first taking bisoprolol, now on 10mg but you get used to it and adjust, so the sleepiness goes. It does take a while though (6-12 months, but I'm on a high dose) tachycardia is when your heart beats very fast. X

[onadiet]

Trachicardia is fast heart beat. I was it on Bisonorol for hypertension. Had bad side effects including anxiety and panic attacks. Chest pains . Tight throat and full ears. Other effects as well. Was on 1.25 from 2.5 for about 4 weeks then reduced down to come off. Awful.Now on Ibetsatin and similar side effts which I think add these meds do.Did not like how beta blocker made me feel. Since coming off have more palpitations and heart glitters. Heart rate was never high but now goes too low.