Hi I am just wondering if I can get some advice. I have had an ecg and 24 hour ecg, which I was told was normal. I went to my GP for fast heart rate that can be rapid at times. My blood pressure was kind of high so she had to take it twice. Then she checked my heart to which she said it was kinda fast and she could feel it. So she has put me on bisoprolol 1.25, I have been on it for 2 weeks and I haven’t been told what to look out for. Does my GP monitor my blood pressure and pulse? Or do I monitor it? If so what’s the best way to keep an eye on it. I have a stethoscope not sure if that helps? I have seen most post with the same dose I’m on but no answers to what I am looking for I’m also on venlafaxine 150mg
thanks
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TheNameIsRebecca
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Buy a blood pressure monitor, that also records your pulse rate. bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo... A year ago, I bought one from Boots for £30. Plenty available elsewhere, at other chemists or on-line.
As already mentioned, buy a meter, take three readings sitting down and record them on a proper sheet ( home BP readings) your GP will be pleased to recieve them. I take about a dozen readings over a day and it gives your GP a better idea of how things are going.
I would suggest also a finger oxymeter. Once a week should be enough for that measurement and this, together with blood pressure/pulse readings will enable you and your GP to build up a useful health picture
Hi Rebecca, unfortunately we are more often than not left to discover how to manage our health and the meds they give us. I think we are all grateful for this forum, where we learn so much from everyones personal experience and increase our knowledge, we certainly aren't going to get it from those who should be delivering it. Bisoprolol is a powerful beta blocker, this is the lowest dose which I am also on for Atrial Fibrillation. Not only should it hopefully lower your heart rate but it could also lower your blood pressure, although it hasn't lowered mine. You should be aiming for a resting rate of 60 to 100 bpm, more if exercising. I have an Apple watch synced to my phone which takes a single lead ecg as well as telling me my heart rate. Much cheaper alternatives are available. I get so much reassurance from this knowledge as my heart rate is available to me all the time as long as I have my watch on. Once you know what your heart rate is you will be able to determine if your meds need to be titrated upwards. Your Dr has been very sensible in starting you on a low dose to see how your heart rate reacts but not so sensible in giving you no further advice.
Yes I agree, this is the first time going on a medication like this, I’m kind of disappointed that my GP hasn’t really told me anything other than tell me the obvious which I obviously knew. Yeah that’s true I will definitely keep checking back on here as I guess that’s all we have for now isn’t it when there isn’t much advice from professionals. Yes that’s true. Yeah sadly I guess I will just have to keep an eye on myself. Thank you for the advice.
I echo everything Kathleen says. We need to be proactive in taking care of our own health and dealing with the medical establishment. I’m the one who keeps my EP Team and cardiologist informed about my BP, HR, Apple Watch readings of Afib vs Sinus Rhythm. I’m the one who reports on my responsiveness or no responsiveness to drugs. I’m the one who queries the best way forward—which has led me to a second ablation and Watchman implant tomorrow. I take an active role in getting my medical needs met and educate myself about my condition to the best of my ability. Jump in and take charge.
I echo everything Kathleen says. We need to be proactive in taking care of our own health and dealing with the medical establishment. I’m the one who keeps my EP Team and cardiologist informed about my BP, HR, Apple Watch readings of Afib vs Sinus Rhythm. I’m the one who reports on my responsiveness or no responsiveness to drugs. I’m the one who queries the best way forward—which has led me to a second ablation and Watchman implant tomorrow. I take an active role in getting my medical needs met and educate myself about my condition to the best of my ability. Jump in and take charge.
Hi RebeccaI had a HA just over a year ago, I was previously on 2.5 Bisoprolol, then they increased it to 5.0. I was told to check my BP at home in the morning 3 times, and record the middle reading then reap it at night and keep a record of it. If it's out of range two days in a row, then contact your GP or 111.
You can get BP meters for about £15. But really well worth it.
Since my HA and coming home I record my Blood Pressure and heart rate using the home monitor.
I have also downloaded a free phone app which you pop the results in. It is very handy as it shows the trend and you can plot it on a map, print it out etc, which could be good for taking to a medical appt.
Loads available but I used this one. This is android, but there will be similar for Apple.
Typical types of beta blockers could be used like Bisoprolol to help lower blood pressure and help in cases where tachycardia (fast heart rate) may occur or has occured... I personally think they do help and particularly with AF (Atrial Fibrillation) can be a life threatening condition and is pretty common! .... But get advice either from your Dr. Or Consultant about monitoring your condition.... It's a safer way than just doing it yourself and I'm sure will reassure you better.... I noticed the dose? It's a smaller amount than can be given.... It's important to remember to contact any health professionals should you go into AF...AF can considerably speed up your Heart rate but as I've said , it's important to contact a healthcare professional if you think their is or you have a concern! Stay well Rebecca......
When I said it's a smaller dose than can be given? The meaning implies that every individual has a different amount recommended by the Dr. Or the Cardiologist.... Due to their specific conditions.... A "smaller dose" let's say is smaller than I take.... Others could be on a higher dose? Nothing else was implied?Furthermore, I'm not recommending anything? I'm merely saying "It's a smaller dose than can be given! In other words.... Some people could be on 5mg or even 10, maybe higher? That all depends on each individuals requirements and only a Dr. Or the Cardiologist can make a diagnosis and Prescribe that dose! Unless of course you're a Nurse that can Prescribe!
In most cases, anything to do with Heart conditions, will no doubt be dealt with by your Dr. But if your General Practice Dr. Suspects something may be wrong with your Heart and it's the very first time, he'll refer you to a Cardiologist!
Nothing I've said is against anything?
I just don't get or understand why someone would think that the words "it's a smaller dose than some"! Would imply anything to do with a Doctor's prescription, based on a diagnosis!?
That's absolutely fine.... Looks like anyone can be on any amount due to their condition... That's ok and at least I understand what you're saying 🤣 I see you're from my neck of the woods.... Although I don't live there anymore .... Have a great Day!
I would agree with everyone else, suggesting a BP monitor, but also ask your GP for a target BP. I'd had high BP for years, and the clinical pharmacist asked if I knew what my target BP was, and I didn't know I had one.It's just another nugget of information that I found helpful.
Hi, my pharmacist gave me a lot of information when I started on bisoprolol e.g. what side effects to look out for and what meds cannot be taken with it. Wishing you well
Would be best to get a BP monitor..which goes on the upper arm..as they are better than the wrist ones..and keep a record of results..especially in your case the pulse..Bisoprolol works well..some have side effects..but hope it works well for you..having a normal ECG is an excellent start.
Not unusual to have drugs thrown at you then be released back in to the wild. A&E sent me home with Bisoprolol 2.5mg. GP called later and said titrate to what's needed for symptom control (arrythmia) - that turned out to be 7.5-10mg.
I learned everything else from a FaceBook support group.
BP wise, devices range from £30 cuff from boots to £200-ish Aktiia continuous monitor. I got fed up of the seemingly random readings wanted to see what my trends were so I invested in the Aktiia monitor. It is excellent. The software produces clear reports easily shared with your Clinicians.
As for Bisoprolol, 1.25mg is a sub-clinical dose. You're unlikely to feel side-effects at that amount.
I think GPs don't tell people what the side-effects are or they'll look for them. With some people it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Take the meds, do you feel better? Are your symptoms under control? Are you OK being continually medicated or is there a permanent fix available?
you can buy blood pressure monitor which will register your heart rate I have one bought from the chemist so if you get one just take your BP at home and go back to the GP if it’s high and make a note of your symptoms to tell her. I hope this settles and you feel better and hopefully your GP will be able to reassure you and having a record of your BP with HR and symptoms will be helpful in diagnosis.
I agree that an arm-cuff type BP monitor is a good investment. Recording your blood pressure and pulse at about the same time each day, say, twice a day over 7 days will help your GP and remove, also, the potential 'white coat syndrome' that can affect readings in a clinic setting. Mine is an Omron, which records BP, pulse, and irregularities in heartbeat rhythm; it stores up to 30 readings. There are many other monitors out there, but the Omron doesn't require a smartphone and is easy to use, which suits me! This link shows the monitors in the BHF shop:
For the record, no doctor has given me a target BP reading, or explained my Bisoprolol, though I have been asked to monitor my BP etc. at home quite often, as above. Your dosage of Bisoprolol is a a normal one, at least to start with. Wishing you well 🦉
I’d request another appointment. It’s what I did when I was discharged from A&E with Bisoprolol and didn’t knock what to do. I’m on 2.5mg for SVT. Did they give you a diagnosis or are they still investigating. Not sure of your age but consider perimenopause as a cause of palpitations if you are late 30s onwards (doctors tend to dismiss hormones if you are still having periods but palpitations are definitely a symptom).
Hi there. Don't know if this will help you but maybe something you want to speak to doctor about. I was diagnosed with severe heart failure when being treated for pneumonia (now hf successfully being controlled after 2 years of medication etc) I was also taken off venlafaxine as was told it was adversely affecting electrical signals to my heart and changed to an alternative antidepressant.
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I’m also on venlafaxine 150mg 
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