Bisoprolol chest discomfort

[Wheezy54]

Hallo thereI've posted a couple of times recently mainly because I'm still very new to all this and am finding it a difficult path to navigate. So basically, I was prescribed 2.5 mg bisoprolol after suffering a ventricular tachycardia event completely out of the blue. I've never had previous heart issues ,-non smoker,non drinker,fit and good bmi etc. I've been taking bisoprolol for approximately 7 weeks. I've noticed,however, that I've started getting odd chest discomfort - niggles and stinginess, particularly in the evening when I'm at rest. As I'm awaiting a diagnosis ( haven't had an echo yet and have been told I probably won't get a cardiology appointment until July ) , it freaks me out a lot!! Pain would be too strong a word for it. I don't know what angina is supposed to feel like but I thought that it was more fleeting, this lasts on and off most of the evening and into the night and not with exercise. I'm asthmatic too and find it very hard to distinguish between chest discomfort related to heart issues and my airways. Anyone else had this ??? Also, how do people cope between an initial event and getting a diagnosis?? Psychologically, I'm finding this limbo time tough and feel that because I don't know what's wrong with my heart yet ( if anything!) I panic at every twinge ! My GP surgery seems reluctant to get involved or change anything because they don't want to interfere with the hospital treatment,but July is a long way off . Grrrr! Just felt like venting 😊

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

Beta blockers are usually used with caution if you have asthma or coronary vasospasms, vasospastic angina.

My vasospastic angina became much worse when I was prescribed beta blockers before my diagnosis waz confirmed.

[sandandkev]

I too had nothing until an af event in 2023,went to a&e, told was in permanent af and put on beta blockers,appt for cardiologist to come etc, my appt was 7months after,but got cancellation and saw one 5 months,got gp to order echo so had before appt,as it stands didn't have af! They found I have a large hole in heart and mild heart disease,get in touch with secretary and ask for any cancellation

[fishonabike]

I feel you should report this to your GP - symptoms like ongoing chest pain and breathing issues should not be ignored and as Milkfairy points out if the medication does not help it could be making things worse

[ianstrat]

Hi, you shouldn't put up with this. I am on Bisoproplol 7.5mg daily and feeling good. Talk immediately to your surgery or visit A and E and vent your concerns

[Georod]

hi , I’ve been on bisoprolol 2.5 mg for years after heart attack, made me feel ill , randomly short of breath , dizziness, chest discomfort ,mostly when not doing to much in the day , I just put up with it assumed the way it is after heart attack.I ended up in er because I felt like passing out , turned out my heart rate was too low ( 30 bpm) so ICD implanted and told I have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction of 27% . Next visit to cardiologist he upped dose to 5mg which was bad ,I could not tolerate , back to 2.5mg . I myself starting cutting that in half 1.25 mg , feel much better now like night and day , yet to tell cardiologist on next visit , he seems to be more concerned with my cholesterol ( that’s another story ) then how I feel and side effects . I was depressed and often thought what is the point anymore . I feel that that med caused or contributed to the heart failure . But every one is different so be cautious and ask questions .Yes hard to find new cardiologist

[Redapples123 in reply to Georod]

Hi I too was managing without that medication and I think that contributed to my hf as my ef was 41 but after taking it was 31 I have missed some doses and really felt ill as if I am addicted to them I would like to know in what way do they benefit the heart if already have low blood pressure has anyone stopped taking these and had side affect’s also since my go recommended to stop Ramipril my legs hurt when goin to sleep I know everyone is different but is there a way to improve ef without meds as atm I am only on one medication

[Wheezy54]

Thanks for all your replies. Yes , I think a visit to GP at least is in order x

[Eeee13 in reply to Wheezy54]

have a laugh

I was told by my hospital last year to have a full check up with my GP urgently. With heart knowledge

First I was told I’d have to wait a week

Then finally got appointment next day went through everything.

Was told it’s neurological and would make an appointment for me to see a neurologist

I came away with a nasal spray to open my airways ( my oxy levels are already 98/99%) and the GP turned out to be a gynaecologist. You can guess the neurologist threw the referral out 🤣😂🤣

[Eeee13]

I’ve been experiencing similar. With and without heart drugs Bioprolol, Metropolol, Diltaziam. Degoxin, even Apixaban (not all at the same time). I get woken up at night with sudden severe sudden stabbing pains in my heart. During the day they make me jump, every day is different, keep evolving. My heart really Aches at the moment as done for months. Chest pain, the stabbing pains only started when I was put on Meds.

Turns out I’m medication intolerant and nothing works in any quantity. They’ve tried massive doses over ten times max does and my heart just fights them for upto 3 hours then gives up,

My heart is currently AFib 24/7 racing during the day at 150+ I feel every beat banging away

I’m living with now for 15 months. Had 4 lots of surgery waiting for a 5th. If I have a date I can handle it. It’s the not knowing that is so frustrating especially when everything has failed so far. My life has been put on hold. Now at a stage where I’m running out of options and wondering if they will ever be able to fix me if not what time might I have left.

Doesn’t help when referred to a major London heart hospital for urgent surgery after 24 weeks of chasing I find no priority was put on it. It was then expedited with 2 weeks notice.

I’m now referred again with this time priority 2 which is next down from being in hospital and life threatening. But they cannot give me a date. When I called last week I asked if it would be weeks or a month and the reply is months. Unless my consultant will expedite it.

So so frustrating I just want to get on with life.

[Wheezy54 in reply to Eeee13]

Thankyou for your reply. I'm so sorry you're in that situation and sounds like you've had it tough. It's the not knowing that is getting to me. Hopefully you will have some resolution soon. Take care