Has anyone been prescribed by a cardiologist Ivabradine for palpitations supposedly caused by anxiety (which started when we went into 1st lockdown) Sometimes my heart rate is in the 80s other times lower at 69 but I don’t have high blood pressure but I experience a grinding feeling in my chest, particularly after eating & it can last all day. I’ve tried betablockers, verapamil, and Diltiazem all of which make me feel worse and increase the palpitations, my GP has prescribed antidepressant but they take weeks to work & can unpleasant side effects in the first few weeks. I haven’t been told I have angina or heart failure but that is what Ivabradine is for. I’m probably more scared of the pills than what they are treating. I have been referred for an echocardiogram but been waiting months for an appointment. It’s impacting greatly on my life, it’s bad enough trying to keep safe from getting Covid 19 without feeling you may have a heart attack at any moment.
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Mrsflutter
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Hi, I have not been prescribed ivabradine so I can't reassure you about those but I was wondering reading your post what you meant about a grinding feeling, I too have lots of pains and worried all the time about having a second heart attack. Also how are you monitoring your heart rate?
2 of my sisters are on ivabradine. In the first few weeks, they felt strong palpations even though their heart rate wasn't that high but it wore off. Now they both love it.
I am on Ivabradine instead of Bisoprolol because I was becoming breathless. The only thing I’ve noticed is I’m more susceptible to headaches if I feel slightly under the weather.
I have had no experience of Ivabridine but have been taking the strongest dose of Diltiazem since going into hospital in September 2019. My heart rate going in was 180+ and had a cardoioversion and angiogram and diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. I dont appear to get any side effects and although "better" it is far from controlled i have peaks of 150 a dozen times a day and drops to as low as 40 then "bounces" back to normal of between 90 to 100. I was very concerned at first but keep busy and active walking and cycling. I do have an appointment after getting a further referral from GP as it had not settled and the appointment is for June 2021 so i take that as it isnt too serious and just get on with it. It is easy to say don't worry. You are clearly worried so keep at the GP to get something that works for you.
I have been on diltiazem (Adizem 300) for about 6 years now. I have atrial flutter bouts which last from a day to a fortnight . The frequency of the attacks are largely controlled by other medication and ditiazem. My blood pressure is within acceptable boundaries because of the Diltiazem. When I'm in sinus rhythm my resting heart rate is often 50 bpm. When I have a flutter bout resting rate can be 90 - 120. I am able to exercise and the Diltiazem seems to cap it off at 140 bpm. Disconcerting at first, but you get used to it. Consultant has assured me that my heart will not arrest at this rate unless of course there are other factors and he did say I have a structurally strong heart. I can empathise with your anxiety especially if you are on your own . Things tend to get magnified in those situations
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