Amlodipine and heart arrhythmias

[Finvola]

My husband takes Amlodipine for mildly raised BP and for about 2 hours after taking it his heart performs badly.

Until recently, it was merely a slightly raised rate and PAC's, but in the last week his rate is 50% higher than normal, massive amounts of PAC's and PVC's and Kardia shows 'possible AF' even though I think I can see P waves.

Next step tomorrow is to stop Amlodipine until he can see a doctor but I wondered if anyone finds their arrhythmias more active when taking the drug.

PS - we've been snowed in and blocked in by fallen trees - fingers crossed for the next storm tomorrow - stay safe all.

[mjames1]

I haven't had that problem with amlodipine, but the drug does have pro arrhythmic qualities. Given that and his reaction, it would make sense to speak to your doctor about trying a different class of blood pressure drug. As to those Kardia readings, have you showed them to an EP?

Jim

[Finvola in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim - he plans to see his doc when we can travel safely and take the Kardia printouts.

[BobD Volunteer]

All I can say is that amlodipine made my feet and ankles swell alarmingly so I had to switch to a different BP med.

Sorry about your snow though strangely I'd quite like some of it in exchange for the wind. Sitting on our ledge on the hillside is noisy to say the least . Just so pleased we got the two large black poplars down earlier this month so not expecting anything through the roof now.

Stay warm!

[Buzby62 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob, my wife has had to come off it for the same reason and is trialling another CCB, lercanidipine, do you mind sharing what they changed you to?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Buzby62]

Indapomide but no longer need it as BP fallen along with weight and original max dose losartan reduced drastically as well.

[Finvola in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob - if I had realised the arrhythmia side effect of the drug, I would have advised my husband to avoid it.

Give me snow any day - it can be ignored from a comfy chair - wind can't. It's gusting at 60+ outside at the moment and we have massive ash and fir trees all round the house and along the lane and side roads. Most of the ash trees are diseased and less stable perhaps.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Finvola]

I love snow it's so beautiful, full of envy now. We rarely get it here in Devon. Have a feeling you're in Wales (if I remember rightly)?

Jean

[Finvola in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I agree it's brightening and pretty to look at but we couldn't get out for 6 days, mainly because we live on a scenic mountain route (in N Ireland) and no piles of grit had been left anywhere by the roads service - as they usually do. So we stayed at home, fed the birds some extra rations and waited. Then came Isha followed now by Jocelyn and anything not tied down went flying - roof tiles too. Devon sounds very attractive . . . . enjoy!

[Qualipop in reply to Finvola]

After hearing a huge crash last night, I foolishly went outside to check the far side of our roof where we've had a tile off previously. BIG mistake. I had to hang on to a fence post with all my strength for about 3 minutes before I could even get round the corner to go back indoors. I didn't dare let my dog out; she'd have been blown away. Thankfully our roof is intact.

[Finvola in reply to Qualipop]

You were lucky Qualipop! Last night was deafening here too - stuck my head in the duvet and hoped - all OK though.

Storm Jocelyn - named in honour of N Ireland astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell who discovered pulsars. You are a powerful lady, ma'am.

[Qualipop in reply to Finvola]

Only one tree reported down across a main road but no mention yet of damage to buildings. Local press is a bit slow. Last night was much worse than the previous one. I've never before had to hang on to something to prevent being blown over. I feel bad for those in the North of Scotland.

[ozziebob in reply to Finvola]

OK! So not Jocelyn the Talking Mule? sister of the famous Francis the Talking Mule? 😄🤣😄🤣😄🤣

[ETHEL103]

Yes I was prescribed this 15 years ago .I got what I now know as multiple daily ectopics.No Kardia in those days .

[Finvola in reply to ETHEL103]

Thank you Ethel - this morning he did not take the Amlodipine and his pulse is slightly faster but normal. Fingers crossed.

[kocoach]

My primary care Dr. tried to switch me over from lisinopril to amlodipine a couple of weeks ago but when I searched drug side effects on "drugs.com" I emphatically said NO. It can cause irregular heart beats among a slew of other side effects of which I already have a few of them.. Needless to say I am seeing a NEW Dr. in 30 days.

[Finvola in reply to kocoach]

Good call kocoach - I hope you get a drug to suit you. It was a consultant who prescribed amlodipine when my husband was an outpatient in hospital. I have difficulty with why such a drug is prescribed, especially for older patients who are more likely to have arrhythimic side effects - when there are alternatives are available.

[kocoach in reply to Finvola]

I agree with you 100%. A lot of these Drs. want to prescribe some kind of meds rather than do a little research of their own to see what would be best for us; the patient. Hope you find the right solution for your husbands BP.