Re: Low BPM
Originally Posted by
Meg
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Hi Bob
I was waiting to see how you got on saying nothing.
As you probably know Beta blockers slow your heart rate making it easier for your heart to function, that is good in one way but the down side is some BBs can prevent the increase in heart rate that naturally occurs with exercise to power the body.
The BB of choice with most Doctors is Bisoprolol , it is cheap to prescribe. Some tolerate it others have a lot of side effects one being an inability to excercise .
I am asthmatic so can't take the category of BB to which Bisoprolol belongs ,instead I take Nebivolol a much more expensive drug
which does not inhibit the increase in heart rate normally seen with exercise and seems to have few side effects.
I have been taking Nebivolol for 5 years with none of the horrible side effects many in my support group who take Bisoprolol experience in fact a number of members have switched to Nebivolol and feel better.
Bob
if you really must take a BB it is worth giving Nebivolol a try . Another option is an ACE inhibitor.
Quality of life is very important, if a drug makes you feel rotton look at alternatives and don't be fobbed off by a GP keeping the costs down.
If you are having a problem with the 'electrics' in your heart you need to see an Electrophysiologist , Cardiologists are the plumbers of the heart world though some do both.
There is a set pathway laid down by NICE which all doctors follow.
First step an Echocardiogram (ultrasound) to check the heart heath and function then the options available will be suggested .
Thanks Meg, I think he put me on the Bisoprolol specifically to stop my heart beating too fast because he has seen something on the 24 monitor that I had to wear last week. Although my resting heartrate is in the low 40's it was going wild when out running just lately. He also told me to stop running immediately until I go to see him on Wednesday for an emergency appointment. It all sounds a bit 'Cloak and Dagger'ish to me....
Anyway, I've stopped running but I will not take anymore Bisoprolol, or any other Beta Blockers come to that, they are much too serious a drug for my liking, and I don't want to get hooked on them. For many years now I've been taking a low dose Ramipril and an Aspirin each day. I reckon stopping running will keep me safe until I see him. You are so right about the quality of life Meg...
The doctor is a private one working out of the spire clinic in Leeds, I chose him from a list of about four or five because he is an Electrophysiologist and cardiologist specialising in irregular heartrate and atrial fibrillation, so he should know a little bit more than me...
The first thing he did was to take a ECG, and last week they did an ultrasound and fitted me with a 24 hour monitor, and it's the results of the monitor he is concerned about, so concerned that he rang me straight away after seeing the results...
I'll keep you posted after my appointment on Wednesday Meg....