Just been prescribed Bisoprolol for afib. my recent ecg indicated this along with 110bpm, but my heart rate is usually around 55-60 at rest. I put this down to nerves whilst in hospital.
I have now had 3 days on the beta blocker and it has slowed my heart rate to low 40`s, but eratic heart beat persists, so I am not sure afib is the right diagnosis. My bp readings are usually around 115/70.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Hi alvariam
Welcome to the forum. A 110 heart rate is not overly high. What dose of bisoprolol have you been prescribed?
Jean
2.5 mg. Does this have a compound effect over a matter of weeks ?
They say Bisoprolol leaves the body within 24hrs, but I think that all our bodies respond differently. Your dose of 2.5 daily is a small one, but if you think it is taking your heart rate down too low then you need to seek advice from your GP, or as it's Easter the NHS 111 number.
How do you feel when your heart rate goes down to the low 40's? Years ago when my heart rate went down to the low 40's it made me feel very odd and my GP told me to reduce the dose of the medication I was taking, at the time it was Metoprolol, but I've now been on Bisoprolol for about 6 months.
After having AF for 18 years, for the last 3 I've been in permanent AF, so my symptoms are very different to yours now, but I've been in your position and understand your concern.
Jean
Heart rate never been high, and even with a lower rate I do not feel the effects.
That's good that you feel ok when it goes low. Talk to your GP next Tuesday then, but I would seek advice right away if your pulse goes down lower than 40bpm.
I imagine there's a bit of back story here - maybe you have other symptoms that led to needing an ECG to check out the cardiac activity?
In any case, we're not medics and have no access to your medical history so we probably can't really advise more on what your doctor has... but they rarely give medication for one bout of slightly higher heart rate. I suspect you may need to go back to your GP and ask what has been put in your notes to get to the bottom of this if you don't know already.
If the beta blockers are to help with the erratic rhythm, it can take a few weeks for this to settle in as your body adjusts.
Thanks, this was a follow up to various tests 3 years ago when ectopics was the result. No treatment was subscribed. I am on amlodipine to treat bp, which as I said was well under control.
If AF was diagnosed from an ecg it is definitely AF. You are very lucky it was picked up because it can be difficult to detect - hence many people are unaware they have it. I cannot take Bisoprolol as a regular drug because it lowers my blood pressure too much. I have low blood pressure as a norm. Anxiety goes hand in hand with this condition and although it is not life threatening, it never ceases to stress one out. This seems worse when you are newly diagnosed. I would definitely voice your concerns to your doctor because it can take some time to stabilise on the drugs that suit you. It is upsetting when you are first diagnosed and l thought my life was over, but l couldn’t have been more wrong. A good quality of life can be obtained and always remember that it’s not life threatening. I am sure many will help you on this forum. Many are more knowledgeable than l so good luck to you on this new journey.
My normal heart rate was always 60 - 65, and I was given 2.5 mg Bisoprolol when I was first diagnosed 20 months ago. Initially my rate dropped to high 40s to low 50s, sometimes lower, but felt ok, but over time has gradually come up to 60 to 65. Best advice is speak to GP, wgen I asked how low was too liw she said it depended on how U felt.
Welcome to the forum, Alvariam!
You wrote: "I have now had 3 days on the beta blocker and it has slowed my heart rate to low 40`s, but erratic heart beat persists, so I am not sure afib is the right diagnosis."
It would be helpful to forum members if you could put the basic facts about your health condition in your bio, otherwise advice on here can be a little hit or miss.
As a previous responder said, if an ECG shows Atrial Fibrillation (AF), then there is little doubt that you were experiencing it at the time of the ECG.
Here is the NHS information on AF:
nhs.uk/conditions/atrial-fi...
Beta Blockers (such as Bisoprolol) are usually prescribed for AF patients to limit their resting heart rate - to keep it in the "normal" 50-100 bpm range. It will always rise above this when you are active (or in the doctor's surgery - "White Coat Syndrome").
As your own resting heart rate is normally at the low end of the range, you may not need a Beta Blocker, or could perhaps use the lowest dose of Bisoprolol (1.25mg). Please discuss this with your GP if you are concerned about your heart rate being in the low 40s.
As far as I know, Beta Blockers are not commonly used for heart rhythm control, so I wouldn't expect your AF to be "cured" by Bisoprolol.
Best wishes,
Paul
I was on Bisoprolol 2.5 . Felt light headed and breathless. Spoke to my Doctor and changed to 1.25 dose which solved problems. After Ablation operation my surgeon took me off it completely due to my previous side effects. I have a low pulse at rest and when asleep so I was concerned it brought my levels too low. Have had NO problems since stopping a beta blocker. Remain on blood thinner Edoxaban tho. Good luck
yes Ablation doing well. Still getting mild AF perhaps once a month. The healing period after the Ablation is called the “ blanking “ period of generally 3 months but can be up to 6months. Anyone can expect some AF issues during this period . The specialist nurse and also the general surgeon Body are contacting me later this month to follow up on the operation. I’m very satisfied.
Update. Seen nurse and gp yesterday. Heart rate in surgery was just 60, bp normal. Gp put on the lowest dose of Bisoprolol, 1.25 mg. 3 mile walk does not raise heart rate much more than 80 bpm.
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