Stopping Sotolol after ablation - fast HR and breathless

[wendy6]

Hello,

I am an ablation for Paroxysmal AFib and Flutter on 11th July. All went well. As well as AFib I used to get long periods ( a week or more) of other arrhythmia -PACs, SVTs, PVCs. They told me the ablation might not help stop these.

During the 3 month blanking period, had some days of chest pain and then a bad week of mixed arrhythmia 5 weeks after but no Afib or Flutter. So had my post ablation review with Specialist Arrhythmia Nurse 10 days ago. She was pleased with progress so advised me to come of Sotalol. I was only on 40mg twice a day so to reduce to one 40mg a day for 7 days then stop! I did however take 20mg for 3 days then stopped yesterday.

But yesterday mid morning whilst unpacking shopping.. I suddenly felt a dizzy and heart was racing. Dizziness subsided but my HR was 115 for some time. I lay down and it reduced to 95 - 100 but had chest tightness and a bit breathless. This continued for several hours. I tried to rest with legs up as much as possible. After 5 hours, HR came down to normal 75. BP was fine throughout 135/80. Although my HR was ok and just had odd PACs throughout the evening, but my chest tightness continued and I felt really weird and just not right. Anxiety high of course. I did sleep ok but this morning when taking dog out for walk chest tightness came back and heart raced a bit then settled. Since being home and resting my HR and BP are normal, but chest tightness continues with breathing a bit hard when exertion, like going up stairs. I'm very symptomatic so I know if my heart is not in sinus rhythm and have a good ECG home monitor so can check.

Is this just a side affect of coming off Sotalol, did I come off too fast?

[mav7]

Best to contact your Arrhythmia Nurse. Seems like you properly discontinued Sotalol.

Stress may cause issues like chest tightening. Monitor your heart rate and blood pressure and try to relax. (easier said than done)

healthline.com/health/anxie...

[Nezzera]

Hi Wendy!

I had my ablation July 24th and was on Sotalol also (80mg).

I too have been weaning off the same way. When I got to 40mg once a day I had the same symptoms; fast heart rate off and on, slight headaches, weird feeling.I told the Cardiologist about it and she still told me to go ahead and stop the Sotalol.

After meals the heart rate speeds up over 100 for a while. Tonight when preparing for bed it was 107. That’s the fastest so far. I am hoping tomorrow will be better.

Wishing you well, keep us posted on your progress.

[Peony4575]

I and others have had a terrible time stopping beta blockers . Fast heart rate, arrythmias, feeling absolutely dreadful, terrible anxiety . And I had only been on them at a low dose for a short time . People vary in their response . Unfortunately I was at the severe end .

[mary70 in reply to Peony4575]

Agree - use of beta blockers can cause some distress

[pip_pip]

Quite frankly, if you have pains in the chest (tightness) you should seek medical advice. Or think about the A&E.

Sorry

Phil

[Snowgirl65]

I'm no expert, wendy6, but I've found that coming off a heart-related pill always caused a little disturbance in me a few days after. In my case, my heart settled down after another few days. I hope that's the same for you.

[Dalmatianangel]

I had the same issue as soon as I reduced to 40mg twice a day and then went off. I called my EP and they put me back on Sotalol 80mg twice a day. I’m still on it. My ablation was in July 2022. I see my EP on Monday so we’ll see what he says about it then.

It can take up to a year for you to completely heal from the ablation. My husband is at 8 months since his and having issues. He’s better since they put him on Sotalol.