beta blockers

[Jedx]

Why do the docs love prescribing these type of drugs. I never had them prior to my cabg. I have suffered the dizziness and light headed ness but it’s the overwhelming fatigue that gets me down. So last week l decided to record my b/p twice a day to see if that sheds any light on the situation. Long story short my b/p was incredibly low one time the top number below 100 and a pulse of 48, I contacted my cardiologist and thankfully he has reduced the dose. We are all unique what might work for one doesn’t work for another l guess it’s all trial and error at the moment. I am not a robot lol

[Bobkins99]

I'm similar. Following mitral valve repair the heart team are very keen on keeping my BP as low as possible. I take bisoprolol, apixaban and Candesarten. Twice a day 😳 I've gone from a BP of 145/80 to 100/60. I certainly don't have the stamina I used to pre op but then I don't get out of breath or have my heart palpitate any more. At first it was a struggle and I would get dizzy standing up, but I think I've just got used to it. I discussed reducing the dose with the heart team but they weren't keen on the idea. Preserving my heart seems to trump any other criteria🙄

[Chappychap]

 "Long story short my b/p was incredibly low one time the top number below 100 and a pulse of 48"

That's really not all that low.

A doctor wouldn't even begin to be concerned until the systolic reading (the high number) consistently falls below 90.

High blood pressure stresses the delicate linings of the arteries, it's a key reason why many of us developed heart disease in the first place. And for those of us who have had bypass surgery, avoiding high blood pressure is now even more important as the veins from our arms or legs used as grafts aren't as tough as the arteries they replace, so are even more susceptible to damage.

Doctors are caught between a rock and hard place. They know that here in the UK (and I doubt it's much different in Australia) about a third of all medication never gets taken. So by and large doctors bend over backwards to accommodate patients who aren't happy with their medication, because they know that many of their patients won't hesitate to stop taking it or reduce the dose.

I also get bouts of drowsiness, which like yours are probably due to Bisprolol. What I find though is that these feelings of lethargy are fairly easy to bat away. If I step outside for a walk then the feeling passes almost immediately. Sometimes even just getting up and having a glass of water is all it takes. So I reckon it's actually a small price to pay for the benefits that the medication delivers.

Good luck!

[Cruiser25]

As Chappychap posted, that really isn't a low bp. Having said that we're all different and one size doesn't fit all.

I reasoned (argued) with my GP, even emailing my Cardiologist to reduce my Ramipril dosage...after my bp wasn't coming up over the mid 80s over the mid to hi 50s. I was feeling decidedly lacking in energy!

All my Cardiologist said it's about how I feel rather than the numbers for me now I've past the 12 months after my HA & I continue to be able to exercise effectively.

Good luck & stay well.

[Silvertail]

I was told beta blockers reduce the risk of stroke, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure, and of course lowering blood pressure. I'm on candesartan and bisoprolol etc and one time when I was in hospital they withdrew my candesartan for two days because my BP was 99/58. (Qld hospital)

[Eugene1950]

Hi Jedx, following my Double Bypass last September I was put on a daily dose of 1.25mg Bisoprol & 1.25mg Ramipril. At my post 7 week Bypass appointment I was told that the Bisoprol & Ramipril were for life 😟. 10 days ago I had a follow up call from the cardiologist who originally diagnosed my severe stenosis of the LAD 12 months ago. To my surprise he told me I could drop both medications as he did not think they were of any benefit to me. But he did stress that if I became short of breath etc to resume the Bisoprol. Touch wood so far so good 👍. Hope you find a solution as staying on a daily beta blocker with all the side effects is not something I was looking forward to.

[Jedx]

that’s encouraging Thankyou Eugene.

[Jedx]

Oh 100% agree with you. I did chuckle at your good drs reply about blood pressure. Yes it is hard to negotiate life as it is now compared to previously. For me who will be 67 next month well l am a senior citizen now and today l will be a first time grandma so excited. So since l am all this and more l reckon a nana nap occasionally is not a crime. Keep on keeping on mate.