Rapid Heart Rate caused by medication

[momoftwins5]

I have had a rapid heart rate usually around 102 beats per min. for probably close to 4 years now.  My current primary care says it is just because I take verapamil for migraine prevention but don't have high blood pressure.  This doesn't sound reasonable to me.  I am 37 and wonder if I need a referral to a cardiologist.

[Mrs_Spock]

I've been on Lopressor for years to keep my heart rate down and Avalide for blood pressure.  Then in November, my arrthymia worsen.  So after about 6 weeks of playing with my Lopressor dosage, my doctor cut the lopressor and put me on Cardizem which is a calcium channel blocker like verapamil.  My heart rate became much worse...very rapid like around 120-140....after 3 days of this, I begged to get back on Lopressor so we did and it's back to how it was ...no better no worse....my rate goes from 50 to 100...much more tolerable.  I will be seeing an EP in March....my pvcs average around 2 to 3,000 a day...not as bad as many people on this forum.  So I think it is possible for the verapamil to do this...I don't know if this helps or not but  would call the pharmacist.and your doctor.....It can't hurt to get the pharmacist's opinion as well.  Good luck and I hope you will feel better.

Jeri

[ireneo]

That does sound odd since many people take Verapamil to slow/control their tachycardia episodes. You could ask a pharmacist since they're trained to under how various medications work. Plus, if your heart rate is always around 102 - especially at rest, then you need to see a cardiologist. There are other things that might raise your rate (obesity or thyroid problems) but I assume your PC would have addressed these already.