I've been experiencing short episodes of SVT where my heart rate rises to 180bpm, triggered by exhursion and heat. During an episode I am forced to sit down, my heart rate plummets by 80bpm in a matter of seconds. My resting heart rate is a healthy 65bpm.
My Cardiologist today has prescribed Verapamil 120mg, once a day to start with. I am so anxious about taking this medication due to its side effects.
I'm concerned that it could lower my resting heart rate and cause Bradycardia. I wish I was more prepared during my appointment today and asked this question. I feel so out of control with all of this. I've suffered these episodes for 4 years now, and was repeatedly told that nothing was wrong. Thankfully I pushed for an Exercise Stress Test, which took 4 years! A SVT was documented during the test and it was terminated at stage 2.. scarily I had no symptoms at the time!!
Has anyone got any experiences with this medication please?
Written by
boo246
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I’ve been on Verapamil for over a year. Initially, there was some bradycardia but that did pass fairly quickly. I wouldn’t worry about it, as some people experience no side effects. Once the body adjusts, like mine did, I barely experience this at all anymore. I’ll tag another member, Yumz199725 who also takes Verapamil for her heart rate and she might be able to offer you her insights on it as I mainly use mine for coronary spasms.
I’m on 120mg twice a day. What dose are you on? Everyone’s resting HR will differ depending on their heart condition and other individual circumstances x
Yeah. You could also discuss adjusting the dose if you feel like your resting heart rate is a little high after speaking to your doctor. My most recent average resting HR is 54BPM x
Hi I have recently been put on verapamil bout 1 year and half ago I'm on 40 x2 a day. When I first started I got the worst migraines ever cant remember what other side effects I got. Your starting on a high dose so hope you don't get too many side effects x
Yumz199725.. Thanks for your response. My Cardiologist is hoping to double the dose in 2 weeks time, he wants to see how I tolerate it first 😶 I've been offered an EP study with a view to Ablation.. but thought I'd try meditation first before going down that route (I'm a wimp!) Just about to take my first tablet.. I do hope it doesn't impact on work tomorrow.
So sorry to hear you suffered with migraines.. do you still get them? x
Hope you can tolerate the dose your on now. Oh wow Ablation I've never had one, it shouldn't impact your day at work oh one thing to remember to take it the same time every day I have learnt the hard way about how important that is! Yeah I don't get migraines all the time now very rare x
I started Verapamil about 6 weeks ago. Was on a beta blocker before but that was no longer agreeing with me. I’m on 80mg twice a day. For the first week or so I did get headaches and a bit of skin flushing but that soon settled. The only other thing, for me at least, is that it does slow things down in the bowel department but I’ve always had a tendency to constipation anyway - I’ve just upped my prune intake to sort that one! My resting heart rate is in the mid-80s but I have persistent AF, without the med my heart rate can be up in the 180 range, so it’s doing a good job!
The only time I had verapamil was IV in resus in PAF when my pulse was 175-190. It took two injections over about an hour and finally cardioverted back to NSR and pulse 65-80. Never had as regular oral med. take care 🦊xx
I took verapimil at high dose for a year prior to my ablation for flutter.280mg daily.The only side effect was constipation which gp gave me a powder .I still have some 40 mg in date and occasionally I get svt as you do and it brings down hr in about 10 minutes.So use it as a pip.My hr is a lot lower after the ablation as then is was rattling along atv140 ish.A bit on the slow side if anything now.
Hi, have you had your cholesterol levels checked? I had moments of faintness and racing heart while exercising and it turned out a couple of arteries were quite blocked. I had a scan and then an angiogram to see what was happening and a stent was fitted.
Hello, I've been taking Verapamil (180mg daily) for about 20 years with zero side effects. I'm a Health Coach and track my blood levels more than the normal human and I have had no side effects. You might see a lowering of blood pressure but thats something you can check with a monitor to make sure you don't dip too low. Not an issue with me. I always make sure to take the high quality fish oils and COQ-10 daily and limit the caffeine.
My cardiologist that I have talked to over the years from John's Hopkins, etc, have all told me that Verapamil is one of the more safer drugs when used specifically for heart issues.
Especially check you levels of magnesium and potassium that can cause real issues when you don't get enough.
You should be fine with this drug but the caveat is this; I did try Flecanide for about a year and it worked the best. However, it brought out a type 2 brugada syndrome and I had to revert back to Verapamil. Overall, I find that if I get the right amount of sleep, eat the right foods, lower the stress, and take all the right supplements, I have a lot less PVC's and tachycardia issues.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
levothyroxine and tachycardia / palpitations 
Constant anxiety since Atrial flutter diagnosis 
Ongoing investigations 
Feeling faint and uneasy after busy day of exercise
177 heart beat 
