Breakthrough tachycardia

[Terri]

I take a beta blocker for tachycardia, but occasionally will experience a rapid heart rate for no particular reason.  Least ways none that I can figure out.  I generally end up having to take a xanax and eventually it will come back down to around 80bpm.  I know these rapid beats are not brought on by stress but I do become anxious after they happen and the heart rate remains elevated which I am sure probably aggravates the situation.  I am wondering why the xanax helps to lower the heart rate and would it lower it if it is truly a heart condition or is this from anxiety?  What would cause a normal heart to start experiencing tachycardia, structure is normal. When the rate hangs between 100 and 160 how long can it remain this high and not be a concern?I was told it is a sinus rhythmn when this is happening.  I take 60mg of inderal and generally I have no problems except for these very occasional breakthroughs.  I am just concerned that something new may be going on with my heart. Can xanax effect anything to do with the heart physically or is it just a secondary effect on the heart? Thanks for your help.

[Mark]

Dear TLM,
Last night I forgot to mention exercise. Not only is it good for the heart but it is good in controling anxiety. I walk my Dog (a Lab ) as fast as we can go for one hour each day. On bad days when I can't get outside I go 30 minutes on my treadmill at 3 MPH full incline.

Good Luck!

[Mark]

I suffered 6 attacks where I had to be rushed to the ER with a pulse rate of 194 BPM. Beta blockers did nothing to control the attacks. Then my Doctor put me on 240 MG of Covera-HS per day. Covera-HS is a Calcium blocker,not a Beta Blocker. Since going on Covera-HS I have not had an attack in over a year. If you are still having attacks ask your Doctor about switching you to Covera-HS. It has been a blessing to me.

[fake name]

The doctor said:

"The Xanax would not be expected to have a direct effect on lowering heart rate"

I take that to mean no direct effect but does not rule out secondary effect.

I use .06 mg of xanax and it does slow down my episodes.  The cause of my problems are incomplete spinal and thoracic cord decompressions.  These cause autonomic nervous system problems.

Good Luck to you !

[ccf]

The Xanax would not be expected to have a direct effect on lowering heart rate, other than by reducing anxiety. It is possible that you have a sinus tachycardia due to some problem with your sinus node, even though the structure of the heart is normal, in which case a cardiac electrophysiologist may be able to help you out. Only after months of a sustained elevation in heart rate would damage occur to the heart.