meds for paplpitations

Posted by Mimi on June 12, 1999 at 11:23:48
I actually had a couple of questions.  My cardiologist prescribed Diltiazem (generic for cardizem) for my palpitations.  I was wondering if this medication was compatible with pregnancy.  Would it have any effect on the fetus?  Is there any safe meds that are prescribed for benign PVC's that won't affect the baby?  Also, is cardizem considered a beta-blocker?  Just one more!  My cardiologist did a EKG, echo, and had me wear a monitor for a day in order to diagnose my condition.  It turned out that the irregularities I feel are supposedly harmless.  My question is should I have also had a stress test performed?  Can a stress test show something that the other three didn't?

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 14, 1999 at 10:50:46
Dear Mimi,
Thank you for your questions.  Diltiazem is in the family of drugs called calcium channel blockers.  It is safe for use in pregnancy.  Whether or not to do a stress test is between you and your doctor.  ARe you having any other symptoms besides palpitations?
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Posted by Mimi Fitzgerald on June 15, 1999 at 21:12:41
Thanks for your response!  I have chest pains every once in awhile and my cardiologist is aware of them.  Is it true that if there is no blockage of the arteries, then there is no real concern for chest pains?  Several doctors have told me that chest pains in young adults with no blockage is somewhat of a mystery??  Thanks again!

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 16, 1999 at 09:11:54
It's generally true that once blockages have been ruled out the work up of chest pain is for causes of less serious nature.  There are multiple potential causes for chest pain in people of all ages.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

Posted by Mimi on June 19, 1999 at 09:04:28
Do you think I should request a stress test after having those previous tests conducted?

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 21, 1999 at 09:19:16
A stress test is probably not necessary but I would discuss this with your doctor.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.