Antidepressants

I suffer from nsvt and atrial tachycardia.I also suffer from bad health anxiety.My gp wants me to take sertraline but I've resisted so far.I'm so frightened the sertraline would make my arrhythmias worse.i would love to hear from anyone who takes antidepressants with heart problems.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I took it for about 18 months. My GP was very clear it would not be ‘forever‘, but had to be given a fair trial. It helped a lot, and gave me a good nights sleep.

I had been feeling very helpless, as I went through repeated investigations, med changes and stents (9 in all) and it got very hard picking myself up each time.

I had no noticeable additional heart problems.

But do ask them about arrhythmias. I’m not sure if it has that effect.

[Annie2609]

I have the same problem.. dealing with bad daily ectopics, and scared to start the antidepressant.. Although I read here that a lot of people find that antidepressants work well with their arrhythmias. I used to take them and felt much better (no arrythmia to start with at that time). So probably one day I will be back that path. For now I'm trying diet changes, relaxation techniques and neurofeedback.

Good luck, I know how it feels

[Bedlington14]

Hi Mags26, I have ventricular tachycardia and take Sertraline for health anxiety and depression. I haven’t noticed any increase in my PVCs, but if I have them my Doctor says I can take another Verapamil. For me, Sertraline works well. If you take it and it doesn’t agree with you, talk to your Doctor. Good luck. Julie

[Hidden in reply to Bedlington14]

Thanks bedlington14, I am going to try some natural therapies first.I'm glad sertraline is helping you.thanks again.

[Kingsley09]

I was on amitriptyline for pain relief and it worked low on the lowest dosage of 10 mg at night but after a while I developed Afib and had to come off as it is known to effect your heart and my dr said all of that type of antidepressant effects the heart I would love to be on it again as it gave me know side effects just pain relief

[Love101cats]

I'm in the same situation and the Sertraline has helped a lot with no side effects. I dont view it as permanent but a help right now. I've just started receiving counselling from a volunteer at my local hospice by phone. I've had just one session and it was good and uplifting. I will be having them regularly once a fortnight but when possible I will go to the hospice. I used to think it would be depressing but found the opposite when accompanying family members. Now it's my turn to benefit.

[Sensei_Mark]

Hi, I've been on antidepressants for 9 years (venlafaxine), I'm also now taking aspirin, statins, beta blockers and vasodilators.

My heart disease does feel somewhat worse since starting the heart meds, but it's difficult to say if it's the other meds, or just that my heart condition is progressing rapidly.

My cardiologist knew I was on antidepressants, and made his choice of meds based on that. I'm trying to get a 2nd opinion, but hard to find another good cardiologist here.

[Hidden in reply to Sensei_Mark]

Thanks for your reply sensei- mark,I do hope you find another cardiologist good luck..

[angel343 in reply to Sensei_Mark]

im the same mark statins bisporol asprin inhalers life is very difficult when your living with heart problems or illness. i never have any energy. its good we can all try and support each other. take care.

[Sensei_Mark in reply to angel343]

Absolutely. You too 👍

[angel343]

anxiety and depression is debilitating if a medication can help it can truly be beneficial, in my experience i am trying to reduce sertraline due to constant diziness and feeling not good, however ive recently been diagnosed with QT syndrome and when i have searched the web have found sertraline and lots of other medications can have a negative effect on the condition so its worth getting as much information you can from the cardiologist as to weigh up any side effects that can help you. i am glad i have found this site as i am now going to have to withdraw from my antidepressant, i was on amitriptyline for 10 years following a accident as it is a old fashioned antidepressant that can help with spasms it helped me tremendously however that was found to cause QT episodes so had to be stopped. I think i am going to go down the path of maybe trying alternative medicine. I had a heart attack 5 years ago and 3 stents fitted sometimes is worrying trying new meds but in some cases they can really be positive. Good luck. Lets hope times are going to get better for us all.

[Hidden]

Thank you for your reply angel343, that's the big worry,antidepressants do effect heart rhythm. I am going to try some natural therapies first.I hope your health improves,thanks again.

[angel343 in reply to Hidden]

thanks mags were all in times were we all need help and advice and sometimes i have found that its hard to get the proper help, i do think this site is very good at least we can all try and support each other take care good luck. i really hope you get the help you need.

[dembaba]

Hi Mags, just wanted to let you know that altho most of the other people have been fine, I took one sertraline 50mg tablet, and felt ill for a week!! The nausea was unbearable and made my anxiety worse!! My Gp then gave me prozac, which I haven't taken. I was too afraid to try anything after the sertraline. I do however, take Zoplicone 7.5mg for my sleeping. This works wonders and really helps me. I know it's addictive, but aren't they all??

I hope you find something soon that helps you. The information leaflet in the sertraline box is enough to scare you if you have heart problems!! Try your "alternatives" first, that would be my advice. Good luck and take care.x

[Palpman]

Don't look too deep into side effects. If one person in 10 000 starts barking when taking the drug it gets listed as a side effect.

Many drugs such as moduretic and beta blockers can cause arrhythmia and even Flecainide that is an antiarrhythmic drug also has arrhythmia listed as a side effect.

Sertraline and other antidepressants can also cause arrhythmia but I personally have not had that problem.

Also, one cannot get QT episodes as mentioned here. If you don't have a QT in your EKG then you are dead.

[Hidden]

Thank you palpman,I feel more positive about sertraline now. Like you say a lot of drugs can cause arrhythmias. I think I got scared after reading the information leaflet. I'll see how i go.

[Madgranny2]

Hi Mags, I am on Sertreline and, have been for about 2 years. Like you I was reluctant but I suffered from PTSD., Not the same as army veterans get but dreadful all the same. I had a valve and artery replacement, followed by an serious, extended DVT 6 weeks later, followed by a heart attack 8 month later. I take a lot of medication for my heart, also a blood thinner, and insulin for Diabetes.

I must be honest the antidepressant has not effected me in anyway which, is unusual as I am very sensitive to prescription drugs. I feel so much better on the Sertreline. I hope this helps you. Take care X

[Hidden]

Thank you madgranny2,your message is very encouraging it's good to hear that sertraline is helping you and not making your heart worse.thanks again.

[Tiffw28]

Hey I’m in a similar situation. I had discovered my first run of NSVT (14 beats) May 2019 on my implantable loop recorder. I didn’t have anymore runs until yesterday where I had two (6 beats and 11 beats) my vision got blurry, I felt head pressure and the irregular beats. I’m freaking out. Since I have other arrhythmias they have been wanting me to take some kind of anxiety medication and I’ve been hesitant but right now I’m feeling really low. I’m scared out of my mind. Do you mind me asking what your NSVT is like? Do you take medication for it like an anti-arrhythmic? I currently only take toprol xl but they said I could start flecinade (spelled wrong I’m sure) but I’m beyond nervous of that.

[Hidden]

Hi tiffw28, I'm sorry your suffering with anxiety and worry due to your nsvt.I was first diagnosed 10 years ago when I had a run of 10 beats.i had several more runs since then.when it happens I go dizzy,faint and it makes me feel sick,I take bisoprolol 1.25mg,I took sertraline for a couple of years but I'm not on any anxiety medication now.I'm getting another inplatable loop recorder next month as I had a really bad turn.I really hope if you decide to take some anxiety medication that it helps you.feel free to ask me anything else.take care .

[Tiffw28 in reply to Hidden]

Hey mags,

Thank you SOOO much for responding. I am struggling and I haven’t been able to find anyone who has what I have so I’m so happy I came across your posts. Sorry I didn’t response sooner it didn’t come up in my reply.

So this is all new to me. Do you mind telling me about your NSVT? I find my doctors just keep telling me oh it’s ok, we see it blah blah. Even though it’s new and we have no idea why it’s happening. I’m having a hard time putting faith in their words.

[Hidden in reply to Tiffw28]

Hi Tiffw28,I know what you mean.My doctor just keeps telling me it's not dangerous in a normal heart.I was very worried when I was first diagnosed that's why I went on sertraline and they really helped,but I had a bad run of nsvt and decided to stop taking them,i wish I stayed on them but I became worried about my heart.My cardiologist said to take them again but I'm nervous.I found it hard to find anyone else who had nsvt which made me worry more.I try not to think about it as much as I can but it's hard.I also suffer with atrail tachycardia. Feel free to ask me anything,take care x

[Tiffw28 in reply to Hidden]

I suffer from atrial tachycardia too. That’s interesting! So are they doing anything at all for your nsvt? I take toprol xl but that was prescribed before I had these episodes. I get a lot of random beats throughout the day as well. When I get the NSVT I tend to get blurry vision which is scary!

[Hidden in reply to Tiffw28]

I only take bisoprolol 1.25 mg,no they haven't give me anything else for nsvt.It only happens every few months so they don't seem overly concerned.it's been getting a bit worse lately that's why I'm getting another implantable loop recorder fitted.My eyesight goes blurry,I go dizzy,I get big woosh through body and feel like im going to pass out.it's a horrible feeling,and I dread it happening x

[Tiffw28 in reply to Hidden]

I get the blurry vision and the rush. How long are your episodes usually? I had one episode that was 14, one that did a 6, 3, 3 thing they are still trying to figure out because it had a few fusions beats and there’s one I had last night that was 5. It really leaves you hanging on to each heartbeat wondering what’s next. Do you get a lot of other beats too? Like I still get regular PACs, PVCs and stuff through the day.

So I have had the loop recorder since nov 2018. It’s been a blessing really. That’s how they saw what has been going on.

[Tiffw28 in reply to Hidden]

I forgot to add- So you have had episodes of NSVT for 10 years?

[Debee28]

hi I have been taking anti depressants for a number of years, originally due to post natal depression. I had a heart attack last year. I wouldn't come off them, they saved my life literally and I've had them increased after the HA.

[Hidden]

I don't get any information about my nsvt episodes. I'm in the uk,the doctor's don't tell you much just that it was 3,4,10 beats.I was discharged from cardiologist care for 4 year's.it's only since my nsvt got bit worse im waiting for loop recorder.yes I've had episodes for 10 years.I get the odd extra beat or pause every day. Where are you based?

[Tiffw28 in reply to Hidden]

Oh wow! That’s kind of crazy. And Yeah I’m in the US and the doctors here let you know. They will explain what it looks like but I think that’s because I have the loop recorder. Maybe when you get that the information you get will change. You normally get a pretty good rapport with who ever is looking at the tracings, well If your doctor ends up having a department that just deals with it. So I’m surprised they knew you had NSVT and just let you go years without seeing them. Do you only get it one or so a year or do you get it often. I’m kind of sick of these doctors to be real. I feel like they do the bare minimum sometimes because if something happens it’s no really on them. It’s annoying. And at least over here they do not care about quality of life as much as they should

[Hidden in reply to Tiffw28]

My cardiologist did an EP study and scans and reassured me that in a normal heart nsvt is not dangerous.to be honest I don't think I would want to know to much . Even when I had a loop recorder they would only tell me if I needed more treatment. I have nsvt every few months.I don't do anything about it usually. They just want to check me again because I had a really bad turn were i become really dizzy,so their doing my loop recorder to see if anything has changed

[Tiffw28 in reply to Hidden]

Oh I totally get that! I wish sometimes I didn’t know as much as I did. It gives you too many things to think about and worry about! That’s really the way to go.

How was your EP study? I haven’t had one. I’ve only done the cardiac MRA/MRI, the typical echos, ekgs etc. After the NSVT appeared again this week I actually demanded an ablation but they said I wasn’t a candidate for it right now. Which I mean I don’t want an ablation but I’m so desperate I would do anything to make it go away and be normal again. Which I think is what bothers me the most. Even typing “normal” brings tears to my eyes. It’s tough sometimes which you get. I have other health stuff to so I don’t think that helps mentally.

[Hidden]

My EP study went ok,you don't feel any pain just your heart racing and fluttering while there testing it.I had an ablation to but they couldn't ablate the nsvt. They couldn't find any dangerous rhythm during ablation.I used to let it rule my life,I am still anxious,I'll probably take sertraline/lustral once i get my loop recorder fitted but I try push it out my mind.I suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. It might be worth trying anxiety medication.I'm sorry that your suffering mentally.if your hearts normal,nsvt shouldnt do you harm.x

[Love101cats]

I'm nearly 80 and never thought that I would need antidepressant medication but after being diagnosed I struggled with chronic label. Everything I'd formerly been treated for including surgery was like being in a time capsule with a beginning and an end. Now I had to adjust mentally and emotionally to living with something I had limited control over. I'm not a quitter and researched the heart so I understood as much as I could. I had arrhythmia, tachycardia and left ventricular failure. The tachycardia was improved with medication and the arrhythmia under control but my heart is getting weaker. My doctor prescribed Sertraline to my surprise but she saw a need I wasnt aware of. I'm coping much better with life taking each day as it comes and that is reducing the emotional stress on my heart. So just look at the bigger picture and if it doesn't give side effects weigh up the benefits.

[DanOstin]

Frankly speaking, such relaxation techniques never helped me at all—That's why my choice is antidepressants. The only moment that bothers me is that I become sleepy when I take them in the first week. Some years ago, I had panic attacks, and I had to take treatment. I remembered that a drug helped me a lot. So, that's why, when the depression started, I decided to order Xanax from losepain.com and not delay with this so that attacks would not start again. Indeed, it helps me a lot, and I became calm and balanced. More than that, after a week, drowsiness always relieves.