Do Statins cause palpitations?

I've been off my statins (Zocor and Tricor) for a couple of months now and it seems my palps are way less frequent. I'm not sure if it's coincidence or if I'm just in one of those quiet palp times that we all experience. The problem is that I'm sure my cholesterol has gone up since I've been off  my meds. I'm going to get it rechecked soon and then weigh my options. I was just curious though if there was any documented relationship between statins and PVC/PAC's as a potential side effect. I know there are millions of folks on statins so if it was a common side effect we probably would of heard about it by now.

[TatiSD]

Hi there.  I was on Simvastatin for about 7 months and I got the impression that I was palpitating more than before taking the statin, so I stopped it. The pvc's lessened as soon as I stopped, but overtime (months) I started to go again through the up and down cycle of less and then more pvc's, so now I can't determine whether or not the statin contributed to more activity.  
I've been watching my cholesterol levels and they have stayed within normal limits, but if the numbers go up, I already have trepidations about the statins since I had the same impression as you.  But in the end, controlling the cholesterol is much more important.

[itdood]

I went on a statin in the middle of a 12 month long episode of PVCs.  I went on Simvastatin 10mg.  The PVCs have since gone down a lot for me.  My experience was opposite yours.  WHo knows....  I haven't seen any studies on the subject.

[LindaTX]

You just may have something there.  I started Crestor about 3-4 mo ago.  In less than a month my cholesterol went from 240 to 144.  I thought that was amazing.  My chol. has always run between 200 and 240.  I thought that was just normal for me.  Well since starting Crestor, I'm pretty sure that's about the time I started having more PVC's and more frequent a-fib.  It's an interesting theory.  Don't you just love it when we take something that we think is really helping us ( according to ALL of the Dr.s) only to find it is causing other problems.  My husband has a saying,,,"where there's a ying...there's a yang"  :)

[IglooUsher]

I was on statins for about two weeks and the palps began. I was taken off the statins by my Doctor. It has been seven (7) weeks now and I'm still having palps. When will they stop. I have never had any heart issues until I took statins. No statins for me ever again!

[Bamajoe]

After reading this I wonder if that is why I started my a fib back in the day? I started and took crestor for a while. This is right around the same time my afib started. I wonder if that is why I was getting it? Now I am getting because of Paricardial Effusion hopefully it will just go away! I cannot stand afib!!!!

[tom_h]

I have taken 20 mg of simvastatin for years, and although I use to get occasional clusters of PVC's felt that it in no way was the cause of them.  I continue to take it today, and have no "palpitations" to speak of.

[LindaTX]

I went off the Cresto last year for a few months...still had a-fib and tachycardia episodes.  My cholesterol went from 160 to 220.  Went back on it and again my chol. is 140-160.  Had 2nd ablation for afib in May and haven't had any arrhythmias since.

[DeltaDawn23]

Linda, what kind of odds did they give you before your first ablation?  Second?   They're telling me 50% 1st time, then 70% second time.

[LindaTX]

My Dr told me upfront that more women will have to undergo a 2nd ablation than men. Something about the septal wall being thinner, I can't recall exactly.  The first time he said 70-75% and for the 2nd one it was 90-95% success rate....so far so good!  No arrhythmias!

[DeltaDawn23]

I am really glad it worked for you.