Bisoprolol is reaffirmed as a key cardioselective Beta-1-blocker across the cardiovascular disease (CVD) continuum, with a special focus on its clinical utility in women with coronary artery disease (CAD), as reported in a recently released national consensus by Indian experts.
CVD poses a significant yet under-recognized burden among Indian women across all age groups. As the consensus emphasized, “Women bear a significant burden across all age groups, with factors like hormonal changes, obesity, and social barriers requiring tailored approaches.”
CAD presents differently in women compared to men, with more frequent non-obstructive disease, narrower arteries, diffuse atherosclerosis, and atypical symptoms. These factors contribute to underdiagnosis and delayed care. Postmenopausal women are especially vulnerable and experience significantly higher mortality following myocardial infarction (MI).
Despite a lower overall incidence of MI, women experience higher mortality following acute coronary events, partly due to atypical symptoms like fatigue, nausea, or anxiety rather than classic chest pain. Postmenopausal women face elevated risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy due to arterial stiffness and hormonal withdrawal.
Bisoprolol: A First-Line Choice for Women with CAD
The consensus reaffirmed bisoprolol as the preferred β1-selective β-blocker for women with CAD, including stable angina, post-MI care, ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation MI (STEMI/NSTEMI), and atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response. Early initiation at low doses is associated with significant reductions in all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), and ventricular arrhythmias (VA).
In women with coexisting heart failure (HF), bisoprolol improves left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), survival, and reduces hospitalizations. Its cardioselectivity, metabolic neutrality, and favorable tolerability make it suitable for women with diabetes, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Tailored Utility of Bisoprolol in Comorbidities
Bisoprolol’s pharmacological profile makes it especially valuable for women with multiple chronic conditions. In those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), it offers cardiovascular protection by maintaining blood pressure stability during dialysis—an advantage attributed to its minimal dialyzability.
The drug is well tolerated during pregnancy and lactation under medical supervision, with no developmental harm observed in breastfed infants.
In postmenopausal women, bisoprolol contributes to skeletal health, as it reduces fracture risk through positive effects on BMD and microarchitecture, offering additional value in this high-risk population.
In women with asthma or COPD, bisoprolol’s high β1-selectivity minimizes the risk of bronchospasm, while its metabolic neutrality makes it suitable for those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome, avoiding adverse effects on glucose and lipid profiles.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Disparities
The consensus highlighted persistent gender-based inequities in CVD care, citing “systemic under-recognition and gender bias in treatment pathways” as key contributors. Women are less likely to receive timely diagnosis or advanced imaging and are underprescribed high-intensity therapies, including β-blockers.
Importance of Uninterrupted Bisoprolol Treatment in CAD: Latest ABYSS Trial from EuroPCR 2025 Findings from the AβYSS (Assessment of β-blocker interruption one Year after an uncomplicated myocardial infarction on Safety and Symptomatic cardiac events) trial, published in May 2025 in the European Heart Journal, highlight that interruption of β-blocker therapy—predominantly bisoprolol (used in 71.5% of 3,698 patients and ~20% of the cohort were women)—after MI led to sustained increases in systolic blood pressure (+3.7 mmHg) and heart rate (+9.8 beats per minute), with a higher incidence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, especially in patients with hypertension. |
Despite greater benefits from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in women, referral rates remain low, while higher surgical risks and reduced participation in cardiac rehabilitation continue to compromise outcomes.
Closing the Gender Gap in CAD Care
Despite proven benefits, bisoprolol remains underutilized in women, often due to clinical hesitancy in those with borderline BP or bradycardia. The panel urged a shift toward gender-equitable prescribing and highlighted the need for better female representation in CVD trials. “Gender-equitable diagnosis, guideline-directed treatment, and proactive use of cardioselective agents like bisoprolol can bridge outcome disparities in Indian women,” the report concluded.
References:
1. Chopra HK, Sethi KK, Nair T. et al. National Consensus Statement on Role of Bisoprolol across Cardiovascular Continuum: Special Focus on Women. J Assoc Physicians India 2025;73(5):e16–e33.
2. Procopi N, Zeitouni M, Kerneis M, et al. Beta-blocker interruption effects on blood pressure and heart rate after myocardial infarction: the AβYSS trial. European Heart Journal. 2025;ehaf170. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf170. Published online May 14, 2025.
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