Should I take a third tablet Dapagliflozin before knowing how well I am doing on 2 tablets before I have an echo?

[honeybubs]

My cardiologist wants me to start Dapagliflozin and I’ve only just been properly diagnosed a couple of months ago and he started me on low dosage 1.25 of Bisoprolol and 2 x 1.25 of Ramipril. I don’t know whether to ask if I can wait until I have another echocardiogram before starting Dapa drug? My EF was 35 so if it’s gone up do I need to rush into taking another tablet? I could do with your experience and what you’ve been through and would you just agree to another tablet without knowing what success the other tablets have done first? I really don’t know what to do?

[Hidden]

Hello

I think we will all have had different experiences and can share them with each other but also we are not Doctors they are and they know better when it comes to things like this than we do and if that is what they are suggesting then we should do what they think is best as they are the experts

You can ask them of course and let us know how you get on x

[MountainGoat52]

As I see it (and this is just from what I have been told by clinicians), the Bisoprolol is to keep your pulse rate down and reduce stress to your heart and the Ramipril is to reduce your blood pressure. Neither is likely to do that much for your EF, hence why your GP has suggested that you go on Dapa which is a medication formulated for improving EF. It seems appropriate to start the medication so the result can be seen when you have the echo.

[honeybubs in reply to MountainGoat52]

thank you I just needed reassurance as I feel nothing is explained fully when I see gp and cardiologist or questions come in my head afterwards. Thank you once again for your help it is much appreciated

[MountainGoat52 in reply to honeybubs]

Unfortunately a lot of people in the medical profession still prefer to enveil the whole matter of health in mystery... as though they and others in the profession are the only ones to know what is best. What many fail to recognise is that we are intelligent beings that are quite capable of understanding what they are proposing to do or prescribe. Goodness me, there is enough information on the NHS web pages alone for us to read.

I would hope that your GP would be willing to explain what he/she is prescribing and fully explain what the purpose of the medication is. Do not be afraid to ask. I have been fortunate to be able to discuss my medication with my GP, though from time to time I have had to be pro-active with this and make enquiries where necessary. We have not always seen eye to eye, but I have suceeded in getting a mix of medication that suits me and does the job it is supposed to do.

With my very best wishes for the future,

Gerald

[HeartyJames]

I think your EF will probably go up if you take dapa

[Finaus]

The NICE Guideliness of course say such decision shoukd be made in collaboration with patients taking their needs preferences and values into account.

[Anon2023]

hi. From what I was told, it takes months to see any changes after starting Dapa and/or entresto. I was also told that these are wonder drugs in terms of heart inefficiency. If they are offering them, I would take it. Obviously you need to do what is best for you though. Good luck.