Hi. I am 56 years old with a history of SVT, low blood pressure, and night time panic attacks causing a very fast heart beat. I have been on a low dose of bisoprolol for several years now which has largely managed my symptoms. However after getting severe anxiety upon menopause, I started HRT and Sertraline after panic attacks became unmanageable. I have not changed medications for several months.For the past 3 months I have been experiencing palputations. I am constantly aware of a pounding heart, feeling it in my neck and chest. I get numerous ectopics, feeling as if my heart skips a beat and then catches up with itself with a few extra beats. It is really distressing. I feel tired and weak and prone to swollen ankles when exercising or getting hot. I've put on weight as well .
I have seen my gp who says ectopic are harmless and have had a normal ecg, vitals and bloodwork.
I feel something is really wrong. Can anyone suggest a cause of this.
Written by
Hypat1a
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Sertraline may play a role in your ectopics. Maybe you could be switched to a different class of medications that are less apt to provoke palpitations to manage your panic disorder. Regardless of a normal EKG you should have an outpatient cardiac monitor applied for a few days to determine whether you're experiencing high grade& frequent atrial or ventricular premature beats and to determine what is your heart rhythm & rate when you're having palpitations. Even in the absence of structural heart disease, symptomatic and benign PACs&PVCs are often treated with beta blockers like bisoprolol. Maybe your dose needs adjustment.
You mention anxiety and menopause. Are you on HRT? It was my wonder drug. I had so many stressful symptoms during peri, including anxiety. I’m not normally an anxious person. This all stopped when I started hormone replacement. My heart symptoms were much the same but it certainly helped me with anxiety, aching joints, headaches, cysts in my breasts, sweats, swollen glands, and a load of other things! After almost 5 years on it, I’m just winding down off it. If any of my symptoms return I’ll go straight back on it.
I’ve recently gone through a similar experience. I have been on bisoprolol for over 10 years and this year I started feeling hard beats, ectopic beats and palpitations, all more noticeable at night. I spoke with my specialist and she increased my dosage from 5mg to 7.5mg a day (split over the day) and it has helped ease the symptoms
Thank you do much for sharing. ECG today which captured the ectopic but doctor says rhythm us normal. Due to the number of ectopic I'm having I've been referred to a cardio
I am not a doctor, however am very aware all HRTs are not made equal, it may well be that the dose or method you are using is not suited to you. This is certainly not uncommon, one size does not fit all. The coincidence of the increase in your symptoms, with the start of HRT, points heavily in that direction.
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.
lower-than-normal resting HR
Weak heart
Anxiety around heart 
Severe Heart Failure 
Working with severe heart problems 
