Does Bisoprolol completely stop your AF?

[pringo001]

I've just been prescribed 2.5mg of Bisoprolol after 24 hours in resus and cardiac ward for AF. Had a Beta-blocker injection while in resus but still had 4 episodes of palpitations and sweating while on the ward. Now I've had my first tablet this morning I've still experienced a number of AF episodes today.

I assume it takes a number of days to get fully into your system but I wonder if it will completely stop the AF episodes. Will I be fine returning to work next monday/tuesday? Worried about the risk of stroke as well as the palpitations that lead to chest pain that runs up to my collar bone and shoulder, jaw and temple.

[Mycal]

I have VFib so am not sure, but Bisoprolol alone does not stop episodes. The drug helps calm the heart but it’s my ICD which controls the VTach/VFib. Also, if you have coronary artery blockages, they will contribute to electrical problems. I had a recent spike in the number of VFib episodes despite Bisiprolol and the ICD device. Come to find out, one of my coronary bypasses had clogged up and was the cause.

[Sianybuk]

It's difficult to give an answer as everyone is different but in my experience the answer is no. My mother has had every drug under the sun and nothing ever helps. Everytime she goes into AF the only thing that stops it is a cardioversion. She has had many of these now. About 2 cardioversion's ago they tried yet another new drug called diltiazam?? This seems to have increased the time between episodes, we think, but it still happens eventually. She could have another ablation but the success rate is about 50/50 and at 60 she can't be bothered with the risks. She is now allergic to betablockers after many years on sotalol so be careful with them, if you get a cough or feel pressure in your chest then go to the Dr because they can cause fluid build up in some people.

[KelleyK in reply to Sianybuk]

Who told you ablation success rate is 50/50?? Success rates are way higher than that.

[Sianybuk in reply to KelleyK]

My mum has previously had one for wpw so her rate is lower. Also my aunt also has AF and it took them 4 goes to get the right area and she now has a pacemaker from the damage. The consultant told her that it would be very risky in her particular case. I was speaking of my experience, not others.

[HamishBoxer]

I am on 2.5mg Bisoprolol twice a day and still get odd episodes of AF plus Ectopics.Been on the extra one since earlier this year.

[RoyMacDonald]

No, Bisoprolol only controls blood pressure by limiting the hearts ability to beat over a certain rate. Has no discernable effect (in my case of SVT) on irregular beats which is normally an electrical fault. You should be on Apixaban (or similar) for the irregular beats to avoid clots. Unless you are young that is and not at risk of a clot reaching your brain.

[Sgs1966]

Hi, I first collapsed in March..... I was put on Bisoprarol 2.5mg but ended up in hospital 4 times since then..... I was told in March I could go on the list for a catheter ablation.... this was done on 14th October, but was not successful due to the eptopics being in my main artery..... so disappointed as I was in theatre for 6.5 hours awake! I was discharged and told to lose weight, give up caffeine, decaf, alcohol & chocolate which I have done, I’m still having dizziness/ nausea a few times a day.... basically consultant not seeing me again till April as he said there is nothing they can do..... the Bisoprarol has side effects which cause the same symptoms so very confusing as to whether to continue or not on them, I am also so worried about stroke etc but consultant did not seem very concerned, advised to have no stress either!! I’m now on 5mg. Giving up caffeine etc has helped but the problem has not gone away, so like yourself I’m constantly worried about something serious happening to me.

[drooi]

I have been on Bisoprolol 2.5mg for some years now. As you know Bisoprolol is a beta-blocker, which by design limits your heart rate. So in theory it should limit fast AF and SVT, but in practice I found it of minor benefit. I have since added Flecainide 100mg bd, which definitely helps prevent ectopics, AF, and SVT. I still get the occasional ectopics, but not much AF or SVT. I take the an extra 1.25mg Bisoprolol if the ectopics become too frequent. The effect of Bisoprolol or Flecainide is almost immediate, they should not take days. Also, you probably should consider anti-coagulation to reduce your risk of stroke, depending on your CHAS-VAS score.