Ectopic Heartbeat

[collareddove12]

I have been diagnosed with Ectopic heartbeat. It seems very typical - fluttering, racing and 'thuds'. I know stress can be a factor and since my husband was seriously ill with Covid 19 and is now disabled life is a lot harder.
I was prescribed Bisoprolol 2.5 two weeks ago, should I be feeling the benefit yet? I have not had any alcohol during this time as advised.
Do I need to take medication? I have read breathing exercises can help.
Any advice would be welcome. Thank you

[Peter Pedant]

yes you should take the bisop
the dose seems sensible.

[pixie374]

Bisoprolol is known as "pill in pocket", because it works fast and you can take it as and when. Is it helping? I presume they have done an ECG, but, if it is stress related, it might be worth treating that first.

[Patsy33]

Stress definitely contributes to it. I should give them a few more weeks, then have a word with your GP. I think they do smaller doses now, 1.5 mg. I'm sure that's what my gp told me. I take two 2.5 a day, and I have a few glasses of wine a week.

[collareddove12]

I had same problem 2016, had ECG nothing found, said that often happens, so had heart monitor nothing still so decided false alarm. This time went straight for heart monitor. I have now been on one pill once a day but no improvement. I don't notice it when busy but as soon as I rest it starts.

[pixie374]

I have it on a lower dose, but only prn. It helps physical symptoms briefly, but I also have antidepressants for the actual cause- so that I barely need to use them. I think you should speak to GP again and let him/her know what's happening.

[collareddove12]

Thanks Patsy, hopefully it will improve, I'm reluctant to go stronger as I seem to get so many side effects. I do miss a glass of wine. Even a small wineglass of lemonade occasionally starts it galloping. I have decaf coffee and tea, have done for years. I wish I could control the stress

[pixie374]

You can get help to control the stress. You just need to let them know how this one is working for you. Decaff is good, did they say you shouldn't have a glass of wine?

[Sqad]

If the diagnosis has been made by a Cardiologist, then:

No big deal.
Stop worrying.
Take you beta blocker.
Monitor the situation further next 6 months.

[Etch]

When I started taking bisoprolol (5mg once daily), over 2 years ago, the effect was apparent fairly immediately: my heart rate was reduced by 10-15 beats per minute across the board (from resting to moderate exercise), but it didn't prevent the periods of arrhythmia that I was experiencing at the time.

[ludwigvan]

If you’re not feeling the benefit now I doubt you ever will, I take it daily and usually feel it working within an hour,have another chat with your cardiologist, paradoxically I find a glass of wine often helps.I wish you well.

[collareddove12]

Thank you everyone for your answers. I will contact my doctor and have a chat

[Nieve]

Did they rule out an over active thyroid ? This can also cause the symptoms you describe.