High Potassium levels and Palpitations.

[Lovedogs1]

I posted last week about having my Entresto and Bisoprolol stopped because of high potassium levels after a blood test. I was diagnosed with HF in July. I have been ok until this weekend until t when my racing heart palpitations returned. I have had 3 episodes so far since Sunday. The one last night was the worst. I have phoned my HF nurse but had to leave a message, so far no one has called back. It was a really horrible sensation, my heart was racing and I had a tightness in my chest and a funny feeling in my left arm. I the end I took a Bisoprolol and eventually it must have stopped because I fell asleep, and this morning it was gone. The only medication I am on at the moment is Apixaban, I don’t see the Consultant till the 6 October I am very concerned that I am not on any heart medication, I felt really well on Entresto but I also have slight kidney problems, that is why it was giving me high potassium levels. I hope someone phones me back today because it was very alarming to feel like that in the middle of the night. I thought about phoning an ambulance, but I don’t want to end up back in hospital, because I have a daughter with special needs who depends on me. Thank you for taking the trouble to read this any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Leszo]

About a week after I was discharged from hospital after my 3XCABG, I had AF. I collapsed and managed to phone for an ambulance. I was immediately put on Bisoprolol and apixaban. Which did the trick. After 3 months, my apixaban was stopped and I have been taking Bisoprolol for over 7 years. It certainly gave me a regular heart beat and has slowed down my angina. I'm now on 10 mg of bisoprolol a day, 5 mg, in morning and 5 mg, evening. It does make me tired and a bit slow to do things, but I'm alive. Strangely, my potassium level are always a bit low.

[Qualipop]

I know it's difficult with a daughter with special needs but if you ignored it and the worst happened, who would look after her? If you phone 999,the paramedics wouldn't take you to hospital unless they thought it essential and I'm pretty sure they would arrange care for her if you did have to go.

[Lucytucy]

Hi

It is so worrying & frustrating when things like this happen especially when you have so much to do. Im on bisoprolol to slow my heart down so it doesnt need as much blood flow when I have a spasm. I dont get palpitations so I dont have it for the same reason as you.

Can you not call your GP for advice?

Personally after my experience this year the hospital would be my last resort.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Hope you get sorted.

[Glastonburylady]

Hello.

Oh what a worry for you, I think you did the right thing in taking a Bisoprolol personally.

I have been taking 10mg of Bisoprolol (and ramipril, furusemide and several others) for over two years now.

I tried to reduce my Bisoprolol by just 2.5mg a couple months ago because if weight, metabolic issues and tiredness levels and within days my heart rhythm went crazy and palpitations were so bad I also feared the worst. I have a pacemaker and defibrillater and I was concerned the defib would cut in.

So I immediately went back upto 10mg and it stabilised.

I have had a bad experience with the heart failure team here, it’s a case of leave a message as you have found out and hope they respond which is rare. Mostly I never hear a thing and when I complained they became very hostile.

So for you I think it would be better to speak with your GP. They seem to have a better chance of contacting the heart team and being listened to.

It sounds as if you may need something that slows your heart down enough to stabilise the rhythm but something that doesn’t interfere with other issues that you have. I’m sure there is something on the market that would suit.

The GP can also lease directly with your heart consultant for interim advice on what best to do in the meantime before your full appointment with them.

I wish you well. Try not to panic and also try things like camomile in drinks as it’ll calm your body and mind. And two slices of lemon in hot water each day will also help you a great deal for everything….. X🙏❤️X

[Larivee]

I have taken Entresto and bisoprolol and felt like the walking dead. Bisoprolol even gave me a rash on most of my body. I am only on losartan presently for BP. Changed my diet to plant based but allow myself chicken every so often. The meds make me sick. I may be shortening my life but quality of life is more important right now.

[Artand7]

Hi, sorry to hear about your recent experience. You said your bisoprolol had been stopped recently, I just wonder if that was done in a managed way? Bisoprolol needs to be stopped very slowly over a period of time. I think taking a dose when you did was correct but please talk to your dr and explain what happened if you haven’t already.

Take care

[Lovedogs1 in reply to Artand7]

No it wasn’t done slowly, I was just told to stop because it was making my heart to slow, and the Entresto was hurting my kidneys so both were stopped except the Apixaban, which is a blood thinners.Both we’re stopped in the space of two days, which is when all my symptoms returned.

[shopman]

Have you tried speaking to one of the team at Pumping Marvellous - Google it. You don't mention what & you are at with your HF and it may be useful to know what dosage of Bisoprolol you are on and if it is taken all at once or staged over the day. I don't have much knowledge about Apixaban apart from knowing my son in law had it but it never agreed with him and he is better off with Entresto but of course different meds affect different people in different ways. There is hardly one rule for all.

[Artand7]

Hi, stopping so abruptly is really bad , I’m not surprised you experienced palpitations! I was on it it for many years and stopped it two years ago. It was reduced slowly over two weeks and I still experienced palpitations for a long time. If you think about it your heart must get used to it and suddenly there is all this adrenaline in your body with no where to go! I do hope things can get sorted for you it’s all so scary and makes you anxious which in turn can make your symptoms worse!

Take care