Should i take bisoprolol fumarate??

[Lizabella246]

Hi, i have posted here before regarding suspected myocarditis. I was given a monitor to wear for 72 hours, i experienced 83 different "events", yet there is nothing showing that is of any concern to the cardiologist (not yet spoke directly to them yet) and my GP, who i spoke to yesterday. I did ask alor of questions like, why do i have all these symptoms? (Low heart rate 50bpm at my lowest at rest or active, it can be in the high 50's and low 60's even when moving, but can go up to 127bpm when moving around, headache, lightheadedness, chest pain, sore throat, aching body and feeling sick), he said that it is post viral - long (you know what) The monitor recorded my lowest as 55bpm and 133bpm, some ectopic beats, but nothing that would suggest myocarditis or heart inflammation or damage. I was kind of shocked as i had pretty much convinced myself it was myocarditis, but he is adamant that with my bloods (even though my troponin level raised to 18, but did drop to 15 the next day), the 2 ECG's and the 72 hour tape, that it isn't myocarditis. So i was relieved to hear that, i was reassured that, in his words, nothing wrong with my heart, that it was, like i stated above long...you know what!! We spoke at some length (i ask a lot of questions!!) about my heart rate being super low for nearly 8 weeks, then suddenly shooting up with the slightest movement (like sitting on the edge of my bed leanong to get my purse from the ground, it went up to 118bpm), yet still being more low than high, he prescribed me bisoprolol fumarate 2.5mg, he said to take it for 4 weeks, check back in with them and see where we go from there. He said he doesn't anticipate me taking them for any longer than that, but it can be possible. I asked, more than once, if he believes what i have will go away, he was extremely quick and firm with his answer, which was "yes, it will". As you can imagine i was feeling so reassured with his confident words, words i had been waiting to hear for over 10 weeks! However, the beta blockers he prescribed me are giving me anxiety (got them earlier, not taken any yet), as they are designed to lower your heart rate. I questioned him on this. I pointed out, that although in the past couple of weeks my heart rate has increased when moving or even talking sometimes, my heart rate is low, like really low a lot of the time, he (i will do my best to get this right) said that this beta blocker is only designed to lower the part of the heart that goes high, it doesnt affect the part that would go low, and it won't dip the heart rate to under 60bpm,now of course he put it a lot more put together than that, but it is what he meant, as i put it pretty much that way to him and he agreed. He said i only need a small dose for a short period of time (2.5mg), he believes that my symptoms will fade and eventually i will get better and this, whatever this is, will go away! He said i can return back to my normal routine and activities (basically housework and running after a 4 year old, i am 40 and have other health issues) I told him i had been pretty much scared to do anything, mainly because of when my hear rate goes high. He wasn't concerned at all, about anything, my results, my symptoms or the pills he has given me. I am scared to take them, i know i know, i should, he has said everything he could to be reassuring, but i made the epic mistake of reading the leaflet that came with it and in it, it says not to take if you have a slow heart rate!! Well it has freaked me out and all that reassurance seems to be gone! I am in two minds if i should take them now, i understand the side effects, thats fine, i am already on a lot of pills a day, so i am used to side effects, but i am not used to the prospect of a pill making the condition that i am getting them for, worse!! Does this make any sense at all? Can anybody relate? I don't want my heart rate to go so low that it stays there and i will become more ill than what i started. Any help and advice will be gratefully appreciated. Take care guys. Lisa xxx

[HBaaBaa]

I have the same post-viral condition that you have and get palpitations and dizziness but with a high load of ectopic beats. When I have a lot of ectopic beats (regularly) they can make my heart rate appear to go down to low 40s on a frequent basis. My ECGs and 24 hour tape did not show anything concerning. I also had an echocardiogram that showed an incidental heart valve issue that now needs to be monitored but no current treatment.

You should definitely look up POTS. It is very common after ‘certain’ viruses. (AMy cardiologist tested me for this but I do not have it). I took Dialtezam for 24 hours but had an allergic reaction so was changed on bisoprolol (1.25mg to start with) but have since stopped as the side effects were worse than my symptoms. I’d say give it a go - you can always stop again (with Drs advice). Your heart rate does not sound especially low so wouldn’t be worried about this.

Have you asked your GP if there is a LC clinic you can be referred to in your area? They have so far been really helpful to me.

I hope things improve for you soon as your GP predicts.

[Silvertail]

I'm not trying to be controversial in any way, but why is there so much angst about bisoprolol? I've been taking 10mg a day for about 7 years. Yes, my heart rate was low (in the 40s) for a time, as well as my blood pressure, and I had dizziness, but my body got used to it. My BP was 108/56 a couple of days ago at the doctor's but then sometimes it's 140/80. It goes up and down. My cardiologist says they try to encourage patients to push through at first, because of the benefits. It's good you only have to take it for 4 weeks, and I get it completely that it is hard when you have young children. I'm also on heaps of other meds for various issues. By the way I'm also on levothyroxine and the leaflet says not to be taken if you have cardiac issues. I just have to trust that my doctor has weighed up the pros and cons. I would talk to a pharmacist - they know more about medicines than any doctor. Good luck with it. xx

[Purpletara]

hi Lisa, don’t know how long ago you had the virus which can’t be named but I had it the start of August.

I have had exactly the same symptoms as you. I have a dog to walk and at the start of the walk my smartwatch would signal my heart rate was too high but then it would settle down but still too high for me.

I was already on bisoprolol so can’t comment on you taking it but it’s a hard decision to make in your situation. The anxiety over whether to take it or not will not help your heart rate but I understand totally where you are coming from - I can worry with the best of them.

For the first time I got up this morning and felt well so I’m hoping that’s it now.

Hoping you feel better soon and sending hugs.

[Saladay]

can you get a second opinion?

[Embossed]

Hi if you do decide to give them a go I found taking them in the middle of a meal helped to reduce the side effects. I think may be that was because they were absorbed slower into the system. When I came off them I did it very slowly and with the cardiologist consent. I still have all the original symptoms, still waiting to discuss results of more tests with GP/cardiologist. I have decided while I wait I need to focus on doing what I can to try and build my stamina up which is currently rock bottom. For me I found I had become too aware and then too concerned about my heart rate which shoots up and down at the strangest of times, I'm getting rid of my fitbit which makes me too aware but I know it is very useful to most people. I have decided until I am told otherwise, its just how my body is working just now. I am sure I have had several weird viruses over the last couple of years, lots of stress, massively reduced ability to do things. I hope you will soon start to feel better and stronger. I will continue my tiny steps towards improvement and try and cope with the frustration this brings. Good luck with your own journey

[Bobkins99]

I had panic attacks 20 years ago where my heart would race to 150 from it's normal resting rate of 50. I was prescribed bisoprolol to take 'as required'. Whether it was phycological or not I don't know but it really worked.

2 months ago I had endocarditis and ended up in hospital for 6 weeks on IV antibiotics and had open heart surgery to fix a knackered mitral valve at the Brompton.. Post op I had exactly the symptoms you describe and am now on a huge cocktail of pills, including 2.5mg bisoprolol twice a day. My blood pressure is now abit too low at 100/60 briefly dropping from that on standing up, but the cardio team think that is more likely the ramaprill then the beta blockers so have changed the time of day I take them. I'll see what the result is but I'm not worried to take the pills as i recognise the benefit they are giving and trust the brilliant cardio team I have at Basingstoke who are super attentitive with regular appointments and check ups. Trust in your doctors, not google is my advice, but don't be afraid to raise questions if you have actual side effects