medications slowing my heart down too much

[JMF1]

following recent posts now on meds as shown below but feel totally wiped out has reduced BP but think it’s too low now, do I continue and just get used to it or discuss with cardiologist. Just feel on merry go round. Anyone else been through this when new meds are added. Currently on ASPRIN 75mcg, AMLODIPINE 5mg, Losartan 50 mcg twice a day, and Bisoprolol 1.25 plus long standing thyroxine 75 mcg which GP reduced from 100 about a mont h ago. Thank you.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Yes you need to talk to your Cardiologist about this if you need to talk to someone before you can speak with them then try and speak with your Doctor but I would get advise first

I have had medications different strengths looked at my readings and not sure if they are to low but I have always spoken to my Doctor before messing with my meds and I know it can feel like a merry go round and you do despair at times but the right dose etc will be found that suites you so keep that in mind when you despair that it is not resolved yet that it will be

Let us know how you get on x

[JMF1 in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you think will contact Cardiolgist as have more faith in him as regular GP difficult to see /contact ever since he started a private practice as well as managing his National Health List. Had to go privately for my recent tests with Cardiologist as wait was nearly just before Christmas 🎄

[BeKind28- in reply to JMF1]

Hello

Let the Cardiologist know then and hopefully you will get a reply what they feel will be best for you to do

Let us know how you get on x

[JMF1 in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you for your support just feel at the moment everything is an uphill struggle but suppose it is the same for us all. Keep well

[BeKind28- in reply to JMF1]

Hello

It can feel that way at times but it will get better x

[Happyrosie]

when you see cardiologist make sure you have the evidence written down to present to him/her. Maybe evening readings and morning readings. After eating/before eating, if there is a variation. If you can, take someone with you to make notes and jolt your memory of you are feeling a bit rushed.

[Judithdalston]

Obviously that cocktail of BP hypertensive drugs could now be making your BP too low: on 5 such drugs I was getting faints from postural hypotension on standing ( BP dropping to 60/40) and Falls consultant took me off two (bisoprolol and indapamide and shifted amlodipine from am to pm.) Sure your Gp’s desire to lower levothyroxine hasn’t made you more hypothyroid which change BP/HR…did they test TSH, FT 4 and FT3?

[JMF1 in reply to Judithdalston]

obviously need a conversation to get this sorted at the start of this I actually thought thyroid was too low but he just reduced thyroxine and that’s when the heart problems started

[Judithdalston in reply to JMF1]

Oh dear, so you seem to be indicating it’s from hypothyroid under treatment…Gp reduced levo due to low TSH ignoring FT4/3? I presume you are a member of sister Healthunlocked site for Thyroid Uk, you’ll get more sense from its members than your Gp ( and from my personal experience almost all other drs. including endos). Good luck.

[sandandkev]

Hi trouble us with these medications they can interact and cause some problems, I was so tired recently and presumed it was my B12 low but gp just happened to mention my cholesterol tablet can do this- so I stopped it and felt a whole new me!

[DWizza in reply to sandandkev]

I had issues with Artovastatin and Pravastatin interacting with my meds ( bisoprolol 1.25, half 1.25 ramipiril , aspirin , clopidogrel , pantoprazole) . I was getting zombie episodes , totally vacant , fatigued , blood pressure dropping, cognitive impairment…. Now on a low dose 10mg Rosuvastatin and no issues 🙌🏻.

[Blackknight57]

what are your actual readings? Bp and bpm

Do you know what your tsh is

[BachVariations in reply to Blackknight57]

We are lucky with a v good surgery, which uses a chart. They advise a week's readings, taking BP am/pm, twice each time. Average the lowest readings for am and pm each day. (Add them together and divide by two!). At the end of the week calculate the average for morning and evening of those seven days. This will show if your problematic BP is worse am or pm. Then take/email the chart to your consultant............I understand these weekly averages are the best way to get a reliable pic of your BP pattern, so hopefully will be useful to your consultant. Maybe email him/her if it's a long wait for an appointment

PS: My heart/circulation issues also started when my longstanding thyroxine dose was changed. Increased in my case, but those overworked GPs are not infallible!

[T666]

I was recently admitted to hospital with suspected heart failure… after 3 days and multiple tests they realised that my heart meds (Digoxin and Bisoprolol) were over-slowing my heart. Beats per minute dropped to 28-39

What I am saying is. Definitely speak to the medics and let them work with you to adjust your meds

Good luck

[Zahry]

I am also on meds to slow my heart rate and had my levothyroxine reduced from 100 mcg to 75 early this year. After testing showed that this caused my TSH to rise beyond acceptable levels, the 100 mcg dose was restored. It seems to be a delicate balancing act between meds that boost your metabolism and ones that slow it down. I’m not sure what the answer is, but getting your TSH checked soon might be a good idea.

[MountainGoat52]

I had to have my medication adjusted over a period of time. My GP wasn't keen to make adjustments, but I insisted I needed change and I was passed onto the Pharmacist at the GP practice. Initially after my heart attack I was on 3.75mg of Bisoprolol, but this caused severe hypotension and also what can only be described as awful feelings of impending doom when I was sat relaxing. It took a gradual process of changing the dose of one medication at a time to get the balance between my blood pressure medication and the beta blocker right for me.

A couple of years ago I requested and received consent for a further blood pressure medication to deal with Raynauds. I was required to monitor my blood pressure at the start. Thankfully it only lowered my blood pressure by 5 points, so all to the good.

[theonethatgotaway1]

What are your readings for BP and HR? It could be the cocktail of drugs but also could be the heart failure itself or combination of both.

I am also in the same boat as you in a sense and was diagnosed with heart failure after a 'mystery virus' back in Dec 2019 whoch led to a heart attack at the time. Being very fit 35 year old it's been a roller coaster ride ever since.

As with all the meds and symptoms of heart failure, I agree it's absolutely awful feeling like a zombie most days. 1 thing I did do that I found helpful was take my biggest batch of tablets in the morning 1st thing, but during my sleep. I'm up and down most the time with the toilet but when I wake about 5/6/7pm I will take them and go back to sleep. Then on evening take the other half of beta blocker and entresto.

The heart failure itself will also cause tiredness. It's tough. But here we are. A nice cure for it would be great right now.

[Zorby]

whenever my bp meds have been changed I found it took a couple of weeks for me to adjust to them?

[JMF1 in reply to Zorby]

Thank you have to be patient keep well

[Qualipop]

Bisoprolol completely wiped me out. It dropped my BP much too low so it was changed then stopped. Talk to your GP.

[andrew290171]

I had the same with bisoprolol. I was also on 1.25mg. I am quite fit so my heart rate is low anyway but on bisoprolol sometimes it was done to about 37. Felt tired and ill so stopped taking it after discussion with the GP and felt a lot better after

[JMF1 in reply to andrew290171]

Thank you need to talk to Cardiologist as he prescribed it due to have heart scan shortly so will be able to discuss then. Thank you for your reply and keep well

[Wk67 in reply to andrew290171]

Me too!