Beta blockers causing First degree heart block?

[Casualvisitor]

Hi Everyone,

Last year I had a heart attack and have been taking the medication they give.

But i want to talk about the 2.5mg Bisprolol.

I had a ECG earlier this year ( FEB) and the PR interval was 173ms.

A routine check up ECG in SEP showed a PR interval of 202ms.

The technician recorded this as First degree heart block.

My doctor has recommended reducing the bisoprolol to 1.25mg as at rest my HR is in its low to mid 50's and during sleep it's at times dipped to the 40's.

My doctor has also asked for the cardiologist to do a further review ( even though he said I've got nothing to worry about).

Has anyone else had such an experience.

Thanks C

[Gillypops66]

I had to come off bisoprolol as it seemed to be slowing my heart down to much. I told my gp and cardiologist (when I finally spoke to him!) and they said it was safe for me to come off it. My heart itself is healthy, but I do have coronary artery disease. I am now on just aspirin, because of my two stents. I’m trying to eat healthy , exercise daily and avoid stress and alcohol. I decided quality of life was very important to me and side effects that made me feel worse were unacceptable . I must emphasise, this is just me, you could be different, these things are highly individual !

Wishing you well on your health journey!

[KeepingHealthy]

Bisoprolol seems to be better suited to me than 2 other types of medication that I've previously tried for Paroxysmal AF. 1.25mg is the lowest dose, so I hope it works out for you.

[Palpman]

Normal PR duration is <200ms so 0.002s over is negligible.

[Casualvisitor in reply to Palpman]

I thought that but it's the fact my resting HR goes to 50-55 is what made my DR to address it.

[JaneFinn in reply to Casualvisitor]

I know everyone is different and it may depend on why we are on Bisoprolol in the first place, but for me I’m on 2.5 mg to try to keep paroxysmal atrial fibrillation at bay. And although my heart rate is often 39 at rest (as low as 32 overnight sometimes) and averages 50bpm across a day, my EP cardiologist seems to think that’s ok for me. I’ve asked several times! But maybe it’s about balance of priorities depending on why we are on it?