Heart Palpitations

[CARS85]

I have experienced heart palpitations for more than 15 years and my recent test showed a slight dilation but with normal heart beat. I was given caverdilol but nothing changed, I moved to verapamil but still it appears the palpitations are worsening. What could be the best option?

[CDreamer]

Hi and welcome. Palpitations is just an expression meaning that you can feel your heart beating. Have you had a diagnosis?

Cavordilol is a Beta Blocker (anything ending in ‘lol’ is a beta blocker) mostly used to control BP but will also control heart rate. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker again used for hypertension but also for angina. Neither will control heart rhythm if you have an arrythmia.

If you have a diagnosis of AF your treatment options will largely depend upon where in the world you live.

You can research treatment options for AF and Atrial Flutter on the AFA website heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

It’s best to have as much knowledge about your condition and treatment options so that you can discuss knowledgeably with your doctors.

Don’t hesitate to ask any questions as this is a friendly group with many knowledgeable people with years of experience of dealing with AF/AFl.

[CARS85 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you very much, an idea about arrhythmia medications?

[CDreamer in reply to CARS85]

Depends very much on your diagnosis? Go to the AFA website for reliable information on drug therapy, link in my previous reply.

If you choose drugs, know that there are no options that don’t involve toxicity, side effects with efficacy rates over time which are not that good.

[CARS85 in reply to CDreamer]

Noted my case seems to be a bit unique in that I don't have any underlying condition, I don't have symptoms of any heart problem except the palpitations which at sometimes irritates me. The drug route seems uncomfortable as I feel like they are increasing at sometimes and always continuous discomfort in the chest. I pray one day a solution maybe found. Thanks a lot

[CDreamer in reply to CARS85]

Have you had ECG, Echocardiogram, 24hour monitoring etc?

[CARS85 in reply to CDreamer]

Yes ECG did not pick anything abnormal, Echocardiogram picked a slight dilation but with normal heart beat. The 24 hour monitor picked some some high heart beat at some time above 130bpm. This diagnosis resulted in me being given carvedilol and verapamil to which there is no improvement but further worsening the situation. My major problem developed over 15 years ago after a food poisoning which created the pulpitations. Previous ecg since then had been showing normal heart beat. I am not much worried about the side effects of any medication if the pulpitations disappear

[Ppiman]

I have palpitations that can feel worrying at times, so I can sympathise. I'm currently wearing a 2-week monitor to see if any short bursts of fibrillation might also be occurring. The palpitations are, I'm told, something that everyone has (although my wife says that she has never noticed; my brother certainly does have them, though, and our late mother did). My doctor told me that they form as an electrical disturbance in the top left atrium chamber of the heart, near the pulmonary veins which is the same place that atrial fibrillation begins, so there is the chance of a link between the two.

Was the cardiverol and verapamil they gave you specifically for high blood pressure or to calm these palpitations?

Steve

[CARS85 in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you very much