As anyone got AF with a slower heartrate?

I am 56 and I have AF, and have recently had a cardioversion which did not work. My heartrate is not fast but slow to normal. I have been down the warfarin route whilst waiting for my cardioversion but I am now on 75mg Aspirin daily. I am not symptomatic apart from a few dizzy spels which is how they discovered my AF but now my doctor wants me to take Beta Blockers. I know they slow the heart down and am worried about it becoming too slow and me passing out all the time as I drive quite a lot. I also suffer with borderline underactive thyroid and am on a really low dose of thyroxin to control this.

Has anyone else taken beta blockers with a slow heartrate, and itf so did it help?

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Are you saying that you already have a slow heart rate and are not yet taking beta blockers? If your heart rate is already less than 60 beats per minute then I would also hesitate initiating beta blockers. You are right to question that, especially if you already have some dizzy spells. Speak with your doctor about why that is his/her choice for you. AF over time can sometimes cause damage to the part of the heart that is the pacemaker of the heart, the SA node, and sometimes that is why individuals with AF may also have a slower than normal resting heart rate. There are other classes of medication that can control your blood pressure if that is the issue. Bottom line is that I would talk more with your doc or get a second opinion.

[Hidden in reply to SRMGrandma]

Hi, yes I have a slow to normal heart rate which is irregular - resting rate is anything from 54 to 69. However, I have only ever had around 4 dizzy spells. My heart rate has been recorded on a 24 hour ECG monitor at 45bpm during sleep. My blood pressure is not particulary high, so yes you can see why I am reluctant to take them. I have decided not to tke them and to see my doctor after Christmas to discuss this more fully..

Another this that has disturbed me this week is that my brother who is 64 has a chest infection at the moment and when examined his heart was found to be erratic and although he has no history or symptoms of AF, his doctor put him straight on Beta blockers and Aspirin.

I think this was a little over zealous on her part and surely she should have waited until the infection had cleared as we all know infections can affect your hearr rate.

Is this another case of writing a prescription being an easy option again for GP's?