Digoxin is typically used to slow the heart rate in AF patients, but a new study is causing some health professionals to re-evaluate its use. The study revealed that there is an increased risk of hospitalization and death in patients who take digoxin.
The new study involved nearly 15,000 adults who were recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and had no prior history of heart failure or digoxin use. During the three-year study, more than 4,800 of the patients began taking digoxin.
Those who took digoxin had a 71 percent higher risk of death and a 63 percent higher risk of hospitalization than those who did not take the heart drug, according to the study published online Nov. 21 in the journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.
One doctor went so far as to call digoxin “toxic” for most AF patients, noting that it was only truly useful in a tiny subset of bedridden patients.
If you’re taking digoxin now it might be time to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss these findings. It might be time to discuss some alternatives.
Are you on digoxin now? Will you be attempting to make a switch?
I am not taking presently and yes it was suggested by a ND, not my regular one however. I havent decided if I will take this. Im seeing a Kiniesiologist Tuesday who is trained in herbs/minerals. You take a standing dose of this and start with a very low dose. Good point on the Haw dose. Lily is a rate and rhythm control as it induces regularity and efficiency in the strokes. Also reduces blood flow and blood pressure which we know can aggravate AF. Interestingly it is mixed with Hawthorne and Motherwort (stress reducer) with no contraindications.
Wow, thats a staggering figure! Well, no surprise to me. Digoxin aka Foxglove/Digitalis, was used for hundreds of years as poison, a steroid effect stimulating the heart. My ND suggested Lily of the Valley which is basically the same but much less toxic. Interesting that it was successfully used on the Front to treat soldiers who were poisoned by gas. Lily does not accumulate in the blood and become poisonous as does Foxglove/Digoxin.
James:
As always, I love your insight on all things in the “natural world.” Are you taking Lily of the Valley? If so, do you only take it when you have an episode? If so, how much do you take? Doesn’t Hawthorn Berry do the same thing – slow the heart down? Would your ND advise taking both of these at the same time? I suspect not.
LWAF
My ND had me take hawthorn extract syrup and LOTV (Convalleria) along with some other supplements. I went for three years without an A-fib episode following that regimen. I got lax and changed a few things but the episodes came back and are now persistent but not frequent. I could not take digoxin following a recent hospitalization due to side effects and the metoprolol made me retain a lot of fluid. I am going back to what I was prescribed by my ND.
Accolades
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