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What Causes Severe Heart Palpitations While On Bisoprolol?

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Posted on Sat, 18 Jun 2016
Question: Hi
I posted a while ago about some bad palpitation i was getting. They passed (eventually) but they seem to have come back. I can listen to my heart and you can hear an extra beat between pumping. I started Bisoprolo today that my cardiologist have me ages ago (unreleated).... should they stop the palpitaions? If so how long would it normally take to take effect?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome back on HCM!

I understand your concern and would explain that Bisoprolol is a beta blocker which is used as an antiarrhythmic drug, to prevent possible ectopic heart beats.

So it will help prevent these skipped heart beats from happening.

Its action begins after 1 hour from the intake, while it lasts up to 24-48 hours. It reaches its peak plasma levels (thus the maximal effect) in 2-4 hours after taking it.

I would recommend you to closely monitor your heart rate and blood pressure, because it could also lead to bradycardia and low blood pressure as an adverse effect.

The dose should be adjusted based on your symptoms and your tolerance (blood pressure and heart rate should not drop too much).

I would also recommend performing further tests to investigate for the possible cause of these palpitations:

- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends during the day
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count for anemia, thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction and blood electrolytes for electrolyte imbalance).

If all the above tests result normal there is nothing to worry about.

Hope to have been helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (17 minutes later)
Thank you very much. Ill keep an eye on them. Its only a 2.5 mg dose to start but the eptopics beats havent stopped, in fact there maybe more now. Would you expect that on the 1st day of these tablets or should they have stopped ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

You should know that this is really a low dose of Bisoprolol. In such cases it is recommended starting at a low dose like this and gradually increasing the dose in order to avoid possible adverse effects like bradycardia and low blood pressure.

If your symptoms are not relieved in a couple of day, you should discuss with your doctor on the possibility of gradually raise the dose, in order to improve your clinical situation.

As I already explained before, dose adjustments are made based on your symptoms relieve and tolerance.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Greetings!

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (24 hours later)
Thank you. Ive been to the GP today and he doesnt seem concerned. Just got another question... Is there any reason why i get palpiations when im sat up right or stood up but lying down they dissapear?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again Matthew!

These symptoms could be caused by an orthostatic intolerance (including postural tachycardia and orthostatic hypotension).

I would recommend performing a Head Up Tilt test to rule in/out this possible disorder.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above test.

Hope to have been helpful!

Greetings!

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9541 Questions

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What Causes Severe Heart Palpitations While On Bisoprolol?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome back on HCM! I understand your concern and would explain that Bisoprolol is a beta blocker which is used as an antiarrhythmic drug, to prevent possible ectopic heart beats. So it will help prevent these skipped heart beats from happening. Its action begins after 1 hour from the intake, while it lasts up to 24-48 hours. It reaches its peak plasma levels (thus the maximal effect) in 2-4 hours after taking it. I would recommend you to closely monitor your heart rate and blood pressure, because it could also lead to bradycardia and low blood pressure as an adverse effect. The dose should be adjusted based on your symptoms and your tolerance (blood pressure and heart rate should not drop too much). I would also recommend performing further tests to investigate for the possible cause of these palpitations: - an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends during the day - some blood lab tests (complete blood count for anemia, thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction and blood electrolytes for electrolyte imbalance). If all the above tests result normal there is nothing to worry about. Hope to have been helpful! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri