Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: arrhythmia and zoloft

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Arrhythmia


I was diagnosed 5 years ago as having dual aval nodal pathways. But as
far as I know, I've only gone into arrhythmia twice in my life --
the first time was by accident (I ran up a hill and came to a complete stop),
and the second time was precipitated by a shot of adrenalin -- it was
during the catheterization procedure to see what was up with my heart.

Last week I started taking zoloft -- an anti-depressant -- and felt as if
I was having heart "problems." My heart felt like it was pounding; I felt
sharp pains in my heart every hour or so; one night, I even felt
shooting pains in my left arm. Yet, my pulse rate was normal
-- between 48 and 60. (my pulse rate is normally low because I'm a runner.)
I've since gone off the zoloft (without my psychiatrist's approval --
but he doesn't believe zoloft shd do this) and feel better.

Have you heard of anti-depressants such as zoloft causing arrhythmias in
people w/ my condition? Should I avoid anti-depressants altogether (i.e.,
if zoloft does this, will prozac, too? What abt. St. John's wort?)

Thanks for your help.

Cathy

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Dear Cathy:

First of all, sorry for the delayed response. I was just going through last month’s questions and noticed that no doctor had answered your question.

Palpitations (extra heart beats) are a recognized side effect of Zoloft, and drugs like it (Prozac, Paxil). I cannot say for sure that this is what you had, but the way to make the diagnosis would have been by wearing a portable EKG machine (a Holter monitor).

I would not recommend stopping your medicines without consulting your psychiatrist. Just because you may have had a side effect with one class of medications, that does not mean that other anti-depressants will be problematic for you.

Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiac electrophysiologist at Desk F15.

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