Bisoprolol, Do I need it now?

[Deemoo59]

I have been taking bisoprolol 1.25mg since my mild heart attack in 2013 along with Atorvastatin, Ramipril and Aspirin. I suffer from really cold hands that go white and sometimes blue in cold weather. At the time of said MI I had a stent fitted. I am reasonably fit, I cycle, play badminton and have just started playing walking football. I'm nearly 62 years of age. My blood pressure has always been low, even before my medication, My heart rate can be as low as 43 bpm. Do you think I still require the bisoprolol? I've seen sites that say it has no real benefit if you have no other issues. Obviously I wlll not just stop without talking to my GP. I know that you have to remove it gradually. But because I'm on such a low dose, I'm wondering whether the side effects outweigh the benefits at the moment...I do feel tired a bit and dizzy occasionally especially when I get up quickly...Could the drug be causing my BP and heart rate to be too low ?

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello Deemoo59, Thank you for your post. You will find information regarding anti-arrhythmic\anti-coagulation medication from our online Patient Resources heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/... 'Treatment Options for an arrhythmia' However, as you mentioned we would always recommend you talk to your doctor regarding your medication, as they are best to advise you on a personal basis based on your medical history.

[SCA_UK]

Hi, you might be interested in this podcast where a consultant cardiologist talks about beta-blockers (& other meds) and their benefitsshows.acast.com/life-after-...

[Sulfurman]

I stopped a couple of years after my heart arrest and stent...took a couple of months to feel 'normal' and confident..but all good now..similar age to you and I do a fair bit of strenuous execise ..my heart rate went up from 45 to 50...

[Deemoo59 in reply to Sulfurman]

Many thanks for sharing your story. I'll talk to my GP about whether I can do without...

[Sulfurman in reply to Deemoo59]

OK. Good luck....The clinical survival rates studies are not very useful for someone 8 years after a stent and most recent studies suggest 3 years of beta blockers can be enough...Be prepared to go off them slowly and feel a bit anxious as adrenaline levels scoot up and down. I did 35 km on my bike today....i still take aspirin ramipril and atorvastatin...my cardiologist was keenest on the aspirin...