bisoprolol and running

[Langdalerunningman]

Since I started taking bisoprolol for arrhythmia , I can’t run more than 20 or 30 m without stopping for a rest. I’ve run every day for 50 years so it’s a big miss. Is there a different beta blocker that wouldn’t make me so tired?

[jeanjeannie50]

I've heard of a many people going on to the beta blocker Nebivolol and then feeling so much better. When I asked my cardiologist about changing from bisoprolol to it laughed and said that it wasn't for me, stupidly I didn't ask why that was.

Jean

[Langdalerunningman in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you

[Farmer87]

Just a side effect from the tablet unfortunately, I'm 36 now and I struggle walking up hills and small inclines! Before them no problem could walk anywhere with an incline / hill now it nearly kills me. No real support from the docs about other drugs just a you need these and some things you can / can't do and you'll have to take time doing certain tasks.

[Jetcat in reply to Farmer87]

I got told the same.

[Jetcat in reply to Jetcat]

I call it the sleeping on a galloping hedgehog syndrome.?

[Langdalerunningman in reply to Farmer87]

Thank you

[Langdalerunningman in reply to Farmer87]

Thank you

[gasp1]

I’m wondering if it’s your condition rather than medication one of my symptoms prior to taking medication was becoming breathless and tired on exertion I use to do iron man triathlon but now struggle to run 100 meters without becoming breathless and this was before any meds

[BicuspidBloke in reply to gasp1]

This is what I'm thinking. My only symptom pre-op was becoming rubbish at running; very breathless at the end and ultimately unable to do 50m without pausing. Bisoprolol doesn't seem to affect my running now. 5k is no problem and I'm beginning to up it to 10k with a view to doing a Half in September. The breathing is fine. The running is a little way off what it used to be, what I had hoped it would be by now and from what it needs to be for the Half but that's mainly because my running has been interrupted for three plus years by lockdown, the heart symptoms, eventual diagnosis and thus taking the running easy, then recovery.

[Langdalerunningman in reply to gasp1]

Thank you

[gasp1 in reply to Langdalerunningman]

Be interesting to know how you get in as I want to get back to some sort shorter distance race standard if I can always up for advice

[Jetcat]

That’s the downside of bisoprolol unfortunately.!!!! I don’t think Iv met anyone who isn’t tired when taking bisoprolol and that includes myself too. although some days I’m fine but some days I feel wiped out.

[fatbarry in reply to Jetcat]

I'm only taking 2.5mg bisoprolol and only 8 weeks post surgery to remove an atrial myxoma but I feel bloody marvellous compared with how I was before the surgery - at least in terms of fatigue. Maybe have a chat with GP / cardiologist?

[Jetcat in reply to fatbarry]

That’s good.👍 but I think I’ll stick with bisoprolol though. I’d rather have a steadier heart and abit of tiredness. Iv been on then 20 years now.

[Langdalerunningman in reply to Jetcat]

thank you

[Survivor1952 in reply to Jetcat]

I'm taking 1.25mg Bisoprolol daily and no issue at all with tiredness or shortness of breath, sleeping less than I did pre-op. Did my first rehab class today and even managed to run on the spot as instructed. I'm just over 8 weeks post op for AVR and 1x CABG.

[56dick19]

Hi I also take Bisoprolol 10mg a day and I get tired quickly but not running that’s just doing day to day things I would speak to your cardiologist

[Langdalerunningman in reply to 56dick19]

thank you

[MikeBB]

I point blank refused to take it - I now take Amlodipine and Candesartan as part of my sweetie mix in the morning. I now have my quality of life back.

They may not be the solution for you of course, but for me they seem to do the job.

[Langdalerunningman in reply to MikeBB]

thank you

[jerry12953]

I'd encourage anyone who is having problems with bisoprolol to ask for a change in medication. As far as I know B. is the first choice of most doctors because it is cheap. But there are alternatives.

[aqualates]

I agree with jerry12953, I couldn’t tolerate Bisporol, was too tired to even get up the stairs, so they found an alternative, my AF / heart failure is controlled by medication and I feel good, exercise regularly even though I do struggle with hills ( but I am in my late 60’s!)

[Langdalerunningman in reply to aqualates]

Could you tell me what the alternative was that you got please?

[aqualates in reply to Langdalerunningman]

It’s was several years ago now and I’ve had different medications over the years but I’ve been on digoxin and warfarin from the beginning and was on Losartan for a while (I think that’s the one they put me on when they discovered I was intolerant to beta blockers but can’t be 100% sure as it was 8 years ago) but came off that to go on Entresto. I had 18 months on Amiodarone and was really well on it but then it damaged my thyroid so had to come off! Currently on Digoxin, Entresto, Warfarin, Avorstatin (even though my cholesterol is not high they said it would help my heart) and last month started on Dapagliflozin (a diabetic medication that’s apparently had good results for HF) Quite a cocktail for someone who wouldn’t take a tablet for a headache before AF started but needs must!

[Langdalerunningman in reply to aqualates]

Thank you very much for your answer

[Ewloe]

It’s 2yrs since my heart attack. I’ve been on bisoprolol since then ( now on 5mg but taken as 2.5 twice a day). I was fit before the HA which has helped me work with the tiredness from bisoprolol. I’m sure there’s people here who know clovelly in north Devon. Last week I walked down and up again the hill there. 12 months ago I couldn’t have done that at all. I do plenty of other forms of exercise but it’s hills I’ve struggled with so I’m really pleased I managed it. I find it’s like a slow creep forward, nudging what you do. The improvement is there but a lot lot slower than it used to be. Try other forms of exercise and be patient you may find it helps. I’m determined to get up Moel Ffammau ( I used to walk here often) before the end of the year. I’ll be slow but I’ll do it. Good luck

[Langdalerunningman in reply to Ewloe]

thanks very much for that.

[Engineer46]

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

You don't say what type of AF you have, but from your bio I'd guess that it is now persistent, if not permanent. You don't mention having any symptoms prior to diagnosis, so I'll assume that you were essentially symptom free in terms of AF.

A beta blocker is prescribed for AF to slow down a resting heart rate that is considered too fast, generally this means anything over 100bpm.

However, many people find that their resting heart rate measured in any clinical setting is much higher than their resting heart rate measured at home. This is recognised by the NHS as "white coat syndrome".

Since the BB restricts your heart rate it is also likely to reduce your blood pressure, both of which can make you feel tired or breathless especially when trying to exercise. This isn't a side effect of the drug, it's the desired effect, but if it is affecting your ability to exercise, it could be that the dose is too high.

If you can measure your resting heart rate and blood pressure at home you'll be able to inform your GP and perhaps find a dosage of Bisoprolol that might be more appropriate for you.

As an example, in my case I have permanent AF, take 1.25mg Bisoprolol per day (plus an anticoagulant) and the BB reduces my resting heart rate by 10-15 bpm, keeping it in the 80-90 bpm range. I have had no problem carrying out any activity since starting to take this dose of Bisoprolol and have not experienced any unwanted side effects.

I hope that you get your stamina back soon!

Paul

[Langdalerunningman in reply to Engineer46]

Thank you!

[Maythyme]

I can’t take Bisoprolol because it makes my asthma worse — usually well-controlled. As a result I was put on Ivabradine. There are some mild side effects but nothing too bad. It seems to be working for me. I have seen my cardiologist this week and he was very impressed with the programme of exercise that I am now achieving.

There definitely are alternatives. I would suggest doing some research and then discussing with GP or cardiologist. I think it takes time to get to the set of meds that works for you — everyone is different.

Anyway, best of luck!

[Langdalerunningman in reply to Maythyme]

thank you !

[laser189]

I had my MI about 2.5 years ago. It left me with permanent damage to the heart muscle and valves so that I am in heart failure. Like you I was very fit before my MI loving cycling/walking and circuit training. After I had been given a pacemaker ( my resting heart rate was 40 now raised to 50) I was put on Bisoprolol 10mg. This had the effect of making my Renaulds disease worse and therefore the cardiology team changed my medication to Nebivolol. This has improved the situation, but like you I still cannot run more than 10m without feeling breathless. I find I can however do activities which are not "explosive" in energy terms. I can walk up even steep hills and can do modified circuit training with a 5 second gap between stations. I still stay active but it is modified and slower but at 78 I should expect that now.

What I am saying is talk to the cardiology team, I think a change in beta blockers would help, but learn to accept a new slower normal. It takes time - I still get frustrated - but is the only realistic way to go.

[Langdalerunningman in reply to laser189]

thanks very much – helpful