The NHS has issued a warning to people taking a common drug used to help heart and circulation problems. Millions of people across the UK take beta-blockers in the UK to treat heart and circulatory diseases.

Every year more than 50 million prescriptions for the drug are issued, helping people with everything from blood pressure and heart rate problems to conditions related to the brain and nervous system. The first choice beta-blocker of doctors is Bisoprolol which, according to NHS England, is the seventh most prescribed drug in the country.

Figures for 2024-25 show there were 32 million times during the year in England alone. The NHS says: "If you have high blood pressure, taking bisoprolol helps prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

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"Bisoprolol is also used to prevent chest pain caused by angina. It's also used to treat atrial fibrillation and other conditions that cause an irregular heartbeat. It works by slowing down your heart rate and making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body."

But as with many medications, there are things that everyone taking the drug needs to watch out for. People first starting on the drug are warned to take it at bedtime as the first dose can make you feel dizzy.

There are other common side effects which affect more than one in 100 people who take the medication. The NHS advises these are "usually mild and do not last for long". They include:

• feeling dizzy or sick


• headaches


• cold hands or feet


• constipation


• diarrhoea

However there are some side effects it is vital to be aware of as they could mean a trip to the doctor or even dialling 999. The NHS advises: "It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking bisoprolol. Call a doctor or call 111 now if:

• you have shortness of breath with a cough that gets worse when you exercise (like walking up stairs), swollen ankles or legs, or an irregular heartbeat – these are signs of heart problems


• the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – these can be signs of liver problems

It adds: "Call 999 now if:

• you have chest pain – this can be a sign of heart problems


• you have shortness of breath, wheezing and tightening of the chest – these can be signs of lung problems"

You should also dial 999 if you have a serious allergic reaction to the medication - also known as anaphylaxis. It says you should "call 999 now" if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen


• you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)


• your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow


• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)


• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy


• someone faints and cannot be woken up


• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

It says: "You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital."

It adds: "Do not drive yourself to A&E. The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do."