Diltiazem, thumpy heartbeat and exercise, advice needed please.

[KG70]

Hi,

I have been on Diltiazem (90mg SR twice a day) for about 3 weeks after switching from Bisoprolol as it made me very unwell. I'm feeling much better since being on Diltiazem (after a slightly bumpy transition), but I'm finding it hard to do much of anything as my heart seems to be quite poundy on the Diltiazem, and it's not as good at keeping my rate down as Bisoprolol was. I can stand and peel a few spuds and then need to sit for a few minutes while my heartbeat settles down from beating quite hard, although not particularly fast (90ish). All day and night I'm aware of every beat, and it drives me mad at night as I can hear my heartbeat loudly against the pillow.

I really want to start exercising again as I have been inactive for months, but this pounding feeling is making me really nervous and reluctant to push myself.

Has anyone else experienced this on Diltiazem, and if yes, does it wear off? Or have you managed to exercise despite it?

Thanks for reading, and for any info you can share.

Kind regards,

Katrina

[Ducky2003]

I was swapped from Bisoprolol to Diltiazem 3 months after diagnosis as I begged them to, as felt so unwell with Bisoprolol. I was very symptomatic at the time so I still got high pulse rates now and again but not constantly. One thing I would watch with Diltiazem is that I started retaining fluid and had to take a diuretic (eventually lost a couple of kg in 24 hours I was holding that much) and also, I got swollen gums, which, thankfully, settled down when I stopped taking it. They are both recognised side effects. I would have a chat to your doctor about this, particularly before exercising again.😊

[Buffafly]

I think your heart is just settling down and the thumpy feeling is maybe a result of something trying to break through the diltiazem. Try not to worry about fitness just yet as anxiety makes palpitations worse 💓

[Madscientist16]

My heart always seemed like it was pounding on diltiazem, but I was told that was normal (and it did stop when I was taken off it after my ablation). I could exercise better and was not as tired when on 120 mg a day and not 180 mg a day. The 120 mg was a extended release tablet, that I only took once a day in the morning.

[Annie2609]

I am almost 50 years old and have had similar issues with constant daily ectopics, and now spikes in blood pressure. I think a lot of these symptoms are caused by hormonal changes. Some of my female friends that are the same age have palpitations as well (not ectopics, but heart pounding like you describe). I am on Bisoprolol - just increased from 5 mg to 7.5 mg, amlodipine 5 mg. I don't like the bisoprolol as it gives me side effects (less after a few months) but it does control my heart rate. Frankly, I used to take an antidepressant which controlled my anxiety and I didn't have to take any of the heart meds.