I was put on 5mg beta blockers in hospital after an episode of atrial fribullation following a mild heart attack. My heart rate dropped to low 40s so cardiology reduced does to 2.5mg then 1.25mg as stayed in 40s.
it stayed like that for 3 months and I’ve felt dizzy light headed breathless so on Tuesday cardiology took me off completely. Only to be used as pill in pocket treatment now if I go into atrial fribullation .My heart rate since coming off much better mid 50s-60 and I feel better in myself.
Has anyone else had to come off beta blockers for the same reason?
thanks
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Tadpole16
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Yes, I was given beta blockers to use as a pip, the first time I took one I collapsed in the bathroom, was so lucky not to hurt myself, dose was 2.5ng, 2nd time I took one I passed out in a chair.
I didn’t take any more after that, my heart rate goes very low after an AF episode into low 30s bpm, I now have a pacemaker fitted to stop it happening.
I help look after a 93year old lady and she takes 10mg a day beta blocker without an issues! We are all so different.
I have the opposite problem I have a fast heart rate rather than a slow one. I was started on 1.25mg Bisoprolol that was increased to 2.5mg and now 5mg. My heart rate whilst sitting here now is 83 bpm.
It will be interesting to see what it will be in 3-4 weeks time when the initial affect has worn off.
I have a fast heart rate , Tachycardia, but a low blood pressure , so beta blockers and some other heart meds that slow the heart but reduce the blood pressure weren't right for me but it can be different for everyone.I know several people whom just use the bisoprolol as a PIP and they are fine with it. They do rest when they take the dose but in a seated position rather than lying down .
It can take time but just keep talking with your GP or contact the Cardiac helpline and they will find the right fit for you , take care , Bee
I was on 2.5mg I suggested to my GP to increase it, he suggested 3.75mg I suggested 5mg. He took my blood pressure and said it was "a bit low" but still prescribed 5mg. He said to see him in two months and gave me two months supply of 5mg.
Yes , I think the reasons for our cardiac issues are all so different. I've got a less well known heart issue that effects my Autonomic Nervous System as well , so beta blockers did nothing significant enough to my Tachycardia before they made my blood pressure far too low and gave me lots of other side effects.I get two other medications now that aren't really discussed on here because they are specific for my type of Tachycardia and Arrhythmia linked to Chronic Dysautonomia.
It's why I never say which medication I'm now on , on the BHF , as what works for me wouldn't necessarily work for most people even though the symptoms are the same and it originates from a heart fault.
I have sinus node Reentrant Tachycardia caused by a micro nerve fault in the sinus node and made worse by Chronic Dysautonomia, along with various Arrhythmia and Afib problems these are all linked to a cardiac genetic problem and a condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, so , as I say , the treatment I need is a not common. Beta blockers unfortunately make most of my symptoms worse even though I know they can be a life saver to most people that use them once the GP gets the dose right and the patient has found the right way to pace their activities and Stress reduction techniques.
Glad that things are working for you , its always good to hear positive experiences, take care , Bee
Your situation is exactly the same as my brother. He has AF, initially diagnosed after he had a bad experience on a plane flight to Portugal. The hospital put him on 5mg Bisoprolol, but he was wiped out by it and felt worse than the AF made him feel. The dose was reduced to 2.5mg, but he didn't feel any better. Back in the UK his GP lowered the dose to 1.25mg, but he was still dizzy and lacking in 'go', so his GP decided to stop the Bisoprolol and instead prescribe Apixaban to cover the stroke risk associated with AF. He has been fine since.
Now when I had a heart attack, I was put on 3.75mg Bisoprolol. It made me dizzy, my heart rate plummeting to the low 40s. Worse still was that I had an awful feeling of impending doom, as though my heart was about to stop and I was going to die. I requested the dose be reduced and reluctantly (after some strong words) my GP lowered it to 2.5mg. I was still getting dizziness, so following discussions with the Pharmacist working for the GP practice, it was lowered to 1.25mg. I still get some light-headedness at times, but generally I can tolerate it at this level. My pulse rate is usually upper 50s in the morning and low 50s in tge evening.
So you are not alone. The "pill in the pocket" idea sounds good to me. I prefer preventative medication, but where needs must reactive medication is okay.
I can so identify with you about how you feel with a low heart rate, mine used to go to low 30 s bpm and it’s an awful feeling , I have a pacemaker now so my heart rate won’t go below 60bpm.
hi I take 10mg per day I was on 12.5 been on them 7 years now they make me tired and lightheaded if I stoop down. Glad you are doing ok off them. The reason they put me down to 10mg is they where not keeping my heart under control so Iv had to go on Amiodarone as well which has worked but that has affected my skin and eyes
Yes I've had dizziness and light-headedness just like you I was put on Bisoprolol 5mg after my HA last April everything was fine until last November when the symptoms started doctor requested an echocardiogram which I had at the end of May this year no problems there.
Blood pressure and heart rate were very low a few weeks back was taken off Losartan completely a couple of weeks before this the Bisoprolol was reduced from 5mg to 2.5mg made no difference had a GP appointment last week the Bisoprolol has been dropped to 1.25mg the doctor doesn't want to take me off the beta blocker completely as in his words it's life preserving.
I m prescribed 5 mg following a an arrhythmia episode but even though the heart rate was as low as 50/52 the GP would not lower the dose. But I now cut it to 2.5 mg and have asked for a review as it was leaving me in bed all day with zero energy and frightened to sleep at night. I don’t really drink either now which has helped my overall health .
I'm convinced Bisoprolol has wasted a year of quality life for me.
Felt varying degrees of rubbish since being put on 2.5mg last April (but didn't join the dots that I felt worse immediately after starting them).
Then earlier this year they upped them to 5mg after ending up in hospital.
Well, all I can say is for the 5 days I was on 5mg (before I stopped them myself) I literally could not function. Putting on my clothes was a chore. Going to the toilet was a chore. I had to stop and rest after walking 20 yards otherwise I would have collapsed!
I'm currently on Digoxin and Verapamil now and feeling a million times better.
Hi Although I don't have the same as you my heart rate is very slow at the moment and they have reduced my Bisoprol to 2.5 but it is still slow and makes me feel awful. My GP wants to keep me on that but I have eptopic beats and they think it is because it goes so slow! no win
YUP! I was put on it after my heart attack; one of the standard things they give to everyone. I could barely get out of my chair. I slept almost 24/7. It dropped my heart rate and BP so low I couldn't function. I had to have it changed. I don't have AF but do have arrhythmia so I can't suggest an alternative but beta blockers are just not for me. After a 4 day stay in hospital two weeks ago with bad arrhythmia I was given diltiazem but I was allergic to it so now I take nothing and just wait and see how often it happens.
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