Digoxin v Bisoprolol

[SlimmingEagle]

Hi,

I am in AF and hope to be cardioconverted in about 8 week but in the meantime I have been asked to stop taking Bisoprolol and use Digoxin instead.

Is there any advantage to this?

[BobD Volunteer]

No ideas why . I do hope you are on anticoagulants prior to DCCV.

[Ppiman]

When I had atrial flutter, bisoprolol wasn't effective at reducing my heart rate, but digoxin worked within a day and had no side effects. They use a very small dose.

Steve

[Desanthony]

I found I was better on low dose digoxin 62.5 than any other medication. The cardiologist was surprised as I think she thought she would only use this for older people who do not exercise but it was the only med I could get on with. Unfortunately I was only on it for a month before having a successful cardioversion - 1 of 3 so far but even between the cardioversions I was never put back on digoxin. The only stipulation for CV was that you had to be on anticoagulants for at least a month prior. At the moment I am waiting for my ablation which was cancelled twice because of Covid last year.

[BillCook]

Interesting, as I've been told that my cardiologist will not perform a cardioversion whilst I'm only taking digoxin and an anticoagulant.I'm in persistent AF, ,and have had one cardioversion (last autumn, NSR lasted only 5 days, unfortunately), whilst on bisoprolol. I subsequently found out that the bisoprolol was making me feel much worse than the AF alone (I accidentally ran out & within a day felt very much better, which has persisted). However, since I've reacted to the bisoprolol, my cardiologist now wants me to switch to flecainide - if I don't tolerate this then other options will be considered, but cardioversion is definitely out for me if I'm only on digoxin.

I wonder why we are getting apparently polar opposite advice?

[captainKFF in reply to BillCook]

Hi, what is your heart rate when you’re in Afib, my worst symptom is my heart rate while in afib(135)

[BillCook in reply to captainKFF]

I'm always in AFib (its been persistent for well over a year now, apart from 5 days of NSR following my only cardioversion to date, which I think was last September). My resting heart rate is normally 70-90 bpm, more often nearer the higher end. It never really goes much above that (even without medication, although presently I'm on 1x 125 microgram digoxin daily)

I periodically do a modified Harvard step test in a (probably futile!) attempt to keep some sort of track of my aerobic fitness - or lack thereof. During 3mins of fairly gentle stepping, my heart rate gradually climbs to a peak, typically of between 120-150. If it goes much over 150, other than as a brief "blip", then I stop.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello, you may find our 'AF drug information' booklet helpful from the A F Association website - For Patients \ Patient Resources \ booklets. Please do not hesitate to contact Patient Services if you require any further advice. heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[Snowgirl65]

Digoxin certainly worked better for me than Bisoprolol, but everyone's body is different.

[Diver2]

Bisoprolol is a beta blocker which blocks receptors and results in a reduced heart rate and reduced blood flow around the heart. Digoxin reduces the heart rate at rest and does not slow blood flow. I personally take both. You should ask your doctor why he wants you to stop the beta blocker. And switch to digoxin. Perhaps he gets better results with the cardio conversion when patients do the switch before conversion. Only he can tell you that.

[allanmichael]

Went into hospital last January with another A/F attack. The consultant offered me Bisoprorol despite me mentioning that Beta blockers did not agree with me in the past.. After taking Bisoprolol I was like a zombie ,very heady, and lethargic. I am now not on any Beta blockers and I am feeling well.

[allanmichael]

I have never ben on Digoxin

[sunigirl]

I have taken Bisoprolol for approx 8 years. I can not tolerate more than 5mg as It makes me feel tired and heavy. I was prescribed Digoxin at one point but it didn’t agree with me and altered my heart rhythm. I have paroxysmal AF. Sorry I can’t be of help. I wish you success with your cardioconvertion.