Started taking Atenolol 20mg for AFib 3 days ago (have normal blood pressure), resting pulse now around 45 but drops below 40, which freaks me out. Also had one resting occasion when went to 125 according to fitbit but more worried about feeling a bit short of breath and my head feels heavy, and as soon as I walk up the stairs feel tired in the legs.
Anyone has experience to share?
There is a possibility you are allergic to atenolol. I was put onto it years ago for high blood pressure. All it did was make me very tired and I had no energy. It did nothing at all for my high blood pressure, It was changed to enalapril (I think that is how to spell it) which was fine.
Oddly enough, I am now on bisiprolol from the same group for A.Fib, with no problems. Give yourself 7-10 days to get used to it, but if the problem persists asks of a different drug could be given.
Thank you so much, hopefully my body will adjust, it is kind of working too well lowering my heart rate.
When your Fitbit says 125 it's usually picking up AFib which messes up its calculations. Something like a Kardiamobile will give you more accurate results.
I know what you mean about a low pulse rate below 40 freaking you out. I was put on 3.75mg of Bisoprolol after my heart attack and my pulse dropped into the 30s. I had horrible feelings of impending doom, as though I was about to die. My GP was not happy about me lowering the dose, but I told him I would cut the pill in half if he didn't. After meeting with the Pharmacist employed by the GP practice, I am now on 1.25mg which is okay for me, but still limits my pulse rate during exercise.
For you it may be a case of lowering the dose of the Atenenol or changing the prescription. I would have a word with your GP and say how you are feeling.
Thanks! I saw a GP yeaterday who said if it persists after 10 days I can halve the tablet, but he also said 50mg is a low dose. I am seeing a cardiologist for the fisrt time next Friday so I will ask. But so grateful hearing people’s lived experiences.
My GP wanted to increase my Bisoprolol dose, indeed as much as 10mg. I asked him if I agreed to take that amount, would he be happy to sign my death certificate. That made him sit up! That's when I told him I would cut the pill in half, to which he told me I couldn't. I replied "I can and I will". Then he passed me on to the Pharmacist to get it sorted. The best thing he did in my opinion.
The fact is that your Atenolol dose may be a relatively small, but it may have much more of an effect on you than the average person. Most of my medications have been adjusted to suit me personally. I have zero side effects other than the small limitation on my heart rate which I am happy to accept. Being pro-active in respect of my medication has helped me and I am now resist changes when it comes to the annual review. Having said that, I did request an increase in my statin from every other day to daily to achieve a better cholesterol level and I have requested the addition of Nifedipine to deal with Raynauds syndrome. Both were welcomed by my GP. It works both ways.
I hope you get your issues sorted soon.
All the best,
Gerald
Thanks Gerald,
Really inspirational, I will try to listen to my body and insist on changes if I do not feel right. At the moment I am not sure if recovering from Covid plays a part. I was ill end of October but I have not felt 100% since, and with far more frequent AFib episodes.
The same here.... not 100% since July. I've had it 3 times and each time it has been worse than the previous time. Bizarre as the virus is supposed to be becoming weaker. I'm fully vaxed as well. Such is life... it would be boring it were plain sailing! 😀
Spent the morning in A&E after a night with 6hrs Afib with high pulse. Fist beeped the place down as pulse to high for an hour or so then because it was too low… They agreed Atenodol 50mg too high so from tomorrow I will try Bisoprorol 2.5mg which is roughly the same as 25mg of Atenolol apparently. Hoping will work better.
Sorry to hear you've not been okay. Hopefully the Bisoprolol will do the business for you. It is a more modern medication than Atenonol which has been around for many years. Let your GP know if you have any issues.
Thanks again! First day on 2.5, pulse still mostly in the 40’s when still and feel tired and burning headache (hard to explain not painful but feels heavy) But leaflet said can take some time to settle. I have so much to learn, and this forum and links have really helped.
Hope it settles soon. Took a few days for me when I started on Rosuvastatin... had a strange heady feeling, a bit like a hangover. I think it is just the body adjusting. If it persists or you're unhappy with how it's going, then do contact your GP.
All the best,
Gerald
Thanks again, really appreciate it!
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