Afib and anastrozole

[dmjtanner]

Does anyone out there have experience with how anastrozole (breast cancer medication) affects their heart rhythm? I had PAF controlled fairly well with Sotalol for 3 years. In January I had to start anastrozole (it's an aromatase inhibitor). The literature says it can cause some arrhythmias and I read it can also interfere with endothelial function of vessel walls. About 2 months after starting the anastrozole, my ectopics have increased a lot with some other short-lived tachyarrhythmias. I am supposed to stay on the anastrozole for 5 years after my breast surgery. I have appointments with the oncologist and my cardiac doc in July, but just wondered if anyone has had worsening ectopics etc., after starting anastrozole. Thanks.

[genorm]

Hi,I took Anastrozole for 6 years, but it did not have any adverse effect for me regarding my AF. I do get ectopics from time to time anyway. Good luck with your continued BC treatment. x

[dmjtanner in reply to genorm]

Thank you so very much for your positive response genorm, I really appreciate it! ❤️

[Frances123]

I have had Afib for 15/16 years and been on Anastrazole for the last 3.5 years. First year was fine but second year the different side effects did kick in. Ectopics we’re awful. As Afib begets Afib I assumed it was that. I had a cryoablation September 2019 and although primarily for Afib it greatly reduced the ectopics. Whether it was the Anastrazole or worsening Afib to blame I don’t know? I won’t give up on Anastrazole as although a toxic drug it is excellent at doing it’s job. Also there are other A.Is to try if needs be. I assume you have a BC nurse. Why not give her a call until you can see your oncologist? You may find these useful too:

breastcancer.org (USA)

breastcancernow.org (U.K.)

Take care

Frances xxx

[dmjtanner in reply to Frances123]

Thanks Frances123, appreciate your insight. Yes, it’s hard to know whether it is the anastrozole causing increased ectopics or would be happening anyway. Thanks for resources, I’ll check them out also.

[spinningjenny]

I had pretty severe afib before I began taking Anastrazole.

About six months after beginning the Anastrazole I had my first ablation. This was unsuccessful but I can’t tell whether or not that was due to that particular drug. However, I have opted to stay on the cancer treatment for a further five years and have recently had a second ablation which seems to have worked.

It’s hard to tell which drugs interfere with what, we are all so different. It may be worth discussing a change of drugs with your doctor if you are really concerned. Personally I’d rather have af than cancer but I know from experience af can make life pretty miserable.

Good luck and stay safe.

[dmjtanner in reply to spinningjenny]

Thanks so much spinningjenny! Very helpful. And yes, so hard to know what causes what. I need to stay on anastrozole because I didn’t have radiation after my lumpectomy because being over 70 at diagnosis gave me that option, and my cardiologist said I should avoid radiation if I could (left side). But personally the afib/ectopics affect my quality of life much more than the breast cancer did because it is ongoing. (I was lucky to have stage one breast cancer).

[Frances123 in reply to spinningjenny]

I was told initially 5 years but know they can say another 5 when the time comes. I'm right there with you and would chose Afib over cancer. X

[cassie46]

I was put on Anastrazole June 2014 and I did not find that it made any difference to my AF, I think I was in persistant AF at the time, I was only diagnosed with AF in the January of 2014, I am now in permanent AF. I did change to Letrazole after 3 years but that was because my breast consultant had some concerns about my bone density levels. When I finished the five year course nothing seem to change regarding any symptoms I have with AF or my many aches and pains. Anatrazole is known for causing aches and pains and I had hoped that this would improve once I came off breast cancer drugs, I have arthritis so the drug added a few more aches and pains , but sadly it has not happened, I am still as creaky as ever lolCassie

[dmjtanner in reply to cassie46]

Thank you cassie46, very helpful, sorry to hear nothing got better after the 5 years passed and you were able to get off the Letrazole. Bummer.

[ralft]

As a Sotalol user with AF I discovered about 3 years ago that its effectiveness is drastically reduced by dietary metals. I was taking magnesium at the advice of my cardiologist. Since I stopped it and some other metal containing supplements SIMULTANEOUSLY, no more Afib episodes. I recall that there should be a 2 hour time separation between the metal and sotalol. I checked anastrozole and there are several metal compounds which may be the problem you are looking for. Please let me know if it is

[dmjtanner in reply to ralft]

Thank you so much. I did know about taking the magnesium with a 2 hour separation from the Sotalol, but I didn’t know that anastrozole had metal in it. Wow, I usually take that at the same time as the Sotalol but I will try taking it with a 2 hour separation also. This is great to know!! 👍