beta blockers

[Enquire]

I’ve had corrective surgery for a congenital defect and am being offered beta blockers for irregular rhythm. I am very active and worry these will stop me doing things I want. Anyone with experience about this?

[Borderterriorist]

Why not try them and see how you feel ? They can have side effects but some people are fine on them once their body has adjusted to them. You can always come off them if they don't suit you or try something else if the irregularity is giving you symptoms. My experience is that you do need to give your body a bit of time to adjust to them though.

[Enquire in reply to Borderterriorist]

Thanks for your reply. You highlight my dilemma - I don’t really have any symptoms but the irregular rhythm was identified in recent tests and my consultant seems to want to do something about it. I know the decision is ultimately mine, so trying to get some real life feed back to balance the clinical assessment. Thanks.

[RufusScamp]

Have you been offered a cardio-rehab course? Worth enquiring if it would be appropriate. That would give you good guidance on what you could do.

[Enquire in reply to RufusScamp]

Thanks, I haven’t so worth exploring.

[Skiffrower]

It took me nearly 3:months to adjust to the cocktail of drugs I was given post op . With the beta blocker ( bisoprolol) I initially felt I needed to eat or at least have a handful of nuts every 2 hours or so. It can lower blood sugar a bit. Eventually I sorted things by making sure I took it after food. I agree with Border terrorist , but think you need to know adjustment time

[ZM1281]

I am an active person myself and unfortunately had an HA whilst out on my daily run. As others have said that it will take time for your body to adjust to them but I do find it restricts my performance when performing any intense exercises so to get round this I take my beta blockers after when I am done training.

[DiyChas in reply to ZM1281]

I found the same thing and decided it was due to the bisoprolol slowing my heart rate which didn't allow me to go as hard.

[Tez666]

It doesn't stop you doing anything, it will slow the beat down to help heart, no breathlessness and less chance of blood clot forming from heart being overworked, im on them, better than further complications down the line, hope this helps.

[Scotsman53]

Haven't noticed any effect on my activities since I've been on 1.25mg bisoprolol.

[Fountainsfewston]

I had open heart surgery at beginning of June, and been on bisprolol since then, and no issues/impact at all.

Go to gym 3 times a week and a couple of miles walk a day and no impact from the meds.

[rbm170]

I have Atrial Fibrillation and I have taken Bisoprolol for two years. Initially 5mgm daily but found that I was feeling very lethargic so changed to a split dose of 2.5mgm morning and night, which was better, but the combined effect of Afib and beta blockers does reduce energy levels. Take medication with food to slow down absorption. I still go to the gym regularly and long walks, just adjust my timetable with my energy levels. The bottom line for me is I’m better with a beta blocker than not. You can always try a different one. Rob

[Carriefarm]

I think if you have a low pulse to start with, there’s a possibility it may lower it too much. That was my experience on them and I had to stop taking them. As someone has already said, you can come off them if you have problems. Best wishes.

[Helibeard]

I am on beta blockers after a mitral valve replacement and double bypass. I was keen to get back to the running and cycling that I did before the surgery and asked the rehab nurses about a sensible maximum heart rate. There is an algorithm to work it out but, for beta blocked people, they subtract 30 from the normal figure. The figure it comes out with is 70% of your maximum heart rate and this is the figure you should avoid exceeding. I suggest you ask your rehab team to calculate this for you and train using a chest heart rate monitor (mine seems more consistent than just using the watch based monitor). I am now able to get back to trying to run but I drop down to a walk when my heart rate reaches the maximum recommended.

[Breesha]

they haven’t stopped me , been on heavy dose for 10 yrs+, off to Italy tomorrow , interrailing etc all over continent, at home I still work and I am over 80.

Have no fear they are lifesavers

[Triathlonmad]

I take 2.5mg Bisoprolol and have done since having my ICD fitted in April(after a near cardiac arrest). The medication has definitely lowered my heart rate as when I’m running my heart rate doesn’t get as high as it used to. I wear a heart rate strap to monitor my HR. I don’t really feel any effects of taking it, other than feeling a bit dizzy sometimes when I get up very quickly. With sport I am back to previous activity levels and nearly back to the same intensity as I was before my life changed back in April. Be patient though. Hope all goes well for you.

[GrandpaM]

I am on Bisoprolol for irregular rhythm and i have no side effects at all apart from feeling the cold more, presumably because my heart rate has slowed.

[momander]

hi,

beta blockers are almost a swear word for some people!!! there are so many opinions on them!!! for me, they have been fantastic and have done the job they are supposed to do!!! i would rather my heart was kept healthy. They have not stopped me doing anything I want to do. good luck

[Ironfloor173]

I tend to take most of my medication before I go to bed. If they make me feel tired or lethargic then I am going to bed anyway. My GP reckons in the main it doesn't matter what time you take your medication as long as you do take it.

[Enquire]

Many thanks for all your replies. Very helpful.

[Jedi14]

I've been prescribed Bisoprolol for the same reason, no problems so far! If anything it also helps with lowering BP and HR, I had to stop my perindopril to prevent my BP going too low! Initially feels like your tired and so on but after a few weeks it's ok.

[Enquire in reply to Jedi14]

Thank you

[kipper1958]

Hi, l have taken 2.5mg of Bisoprolol for the last 8 years and l have not had any issues with them,l am now 66 and exercise every day.Everyone is different,as others have said give them a try and see how you go,best wishes to you.

[Marley7500]

I’m currently taking Carvedilol (3.125mg) – 2 tablets in the morning and 3 in the evening for my heart failure (Dilated Cardiomyopathy). My doses were recently increased after my ICD was triggered due to passing out. I believe this higher dose of the beta blocker is now affecting me. I was previously taking only 1 tablet in the morning and evening, but the increase happened 4 weeks ago, and I’m still feeling its effects.

I get out of breath much more easily now – even simple activities like walking to the shops leave me winded, which wasn’t the case before. It’s frustrating because I’m usually quite active, and I feel like this is impacting my quality of life. Maybe I just need more time to adjust, but I thought that after a month, I’d be starting to get used to it. I understand that everyone responds differently, but this is my experience so far.

[Enquire]

Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments on your experience. Sounds like it’s a case of try and see. Best wishes to all.

[nilmonisikdar40]

Hi there, I am on beta blockers for high blood pressure but others receive this medication for other cardiovascular conditions as in your case. Is it possible to find out what type of heart irregularity you are suffering and what congenital condition are you having. Beta blockers were invented in in late 20th century and they are improving all the time with lesser and lesser side effects. They are care called cardio-selective beta blockers. Can you find out the what type of beta blockers are you are on? I hope you will feel reassured after getting all the information.