Bradycardia/Tachycardia & drugs

I am a 57 YO male. pretty good shape. I have had a Kappa 700 series dual lead PM since 2000. It ios due for a change now, but thats another story.
It seems that I have developed Tachycardia over the last year or more. My pulse before the PM was in the low 40's, now with the PM its 60bpm. Lately my pulse hase been jumping to 130 and then some. My Dr. put me on Verapamil (Calcium blocker)and Digoxin. I can't deal with toporal or other beta blockers. Now I am finding myself more out of breath and having headaches, and sleeping poorly. My question is: can the use use heart medicine to lower my BPM, also make the PM work more and therefore run the battery down faster? Would ablation be a better route then drugs to lower my tachycardia? I have a consult on Friday to replace my PM since I am now in saftey mode and using only one lead, which is also making insomnia an issue. I would appreciate all and any comments. Thanks.

2 Comments

Calcium Channel Blockers and Diogoxin

by SMITTY - 2009-04-29 05:04:36

Hey J. W.,

I have an irregular heart beat and I am presently taken the calcium channel blocker (CCB) diltiazem, and have been soing so for about 25 years. Until recently I was taking digoxin. I have tried many different beta blockers. The beta blocker is an absolute no-no for me due to side effects. My biggest complaint with CCBs is that they cause me to have very vivid dreams to the point that a restful nights sleep is a rarity.

The digoxin caused my irregular heart rate to get worse after taken it for more than a year and my cardiologist decided that I should not continue to take it right now, but he may have me go back to it in the future.

The following are some edited excerpts I got from a few articles on these medications.

In order to pump blood, the heart needs oxygen. The harder the heart works, the more oxygen it requires. Angina (heart pain) occurs when the supply of oxygen to the heart is inadequate for the amount of work the heart must do. By dilating the arteries, CCBs reduce the pressure in the arteries. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood, and, as a result, the heart needs less oxygen. By reducing the heart's need for oxygen, CCBs relieve or prevent angina. CCBs also are used for treating high blood pressure because of their blood pressure-lowering effects. CCBs also slow the rate at which the heart beats and are therefore used for treating certain types of abnormally rapid heart rhythms.

Common side effects of CCB: Feeling tired, Flushing, Swelling of the abdomen, ankles, or feet, Heartburn. Less Common side effects of CCB: Very fast or very slow heartbeat, Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath, Trouble swallowing, Dizziness, numbness or, tingling in the hands or feet, Upset stomach, Constipation (especially when taking verapamil).

Digoxin is a medicine used for various heart conditions. Arrhythmias and congestive heart failure are two of those conditions. Digoxin is used to improve the strength and efficiency (work ability) of the heart or control the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. This leads to better circulation (blood flow) and less swelling of hands and ankles.

Digoxin side effects: Digoxin may cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, lower stomach pain, diarrhea, unusual tiredness or weakness. Also slow, uneven or fast heartbeat, blurred vision (yellow, green or white circles around things), drowsiness, confusion or mental depression, headache or fainting.

Good luck,

Smitty

BP Meds effect on HR

by ShadowWeaver - 2009-04-30 04:04:25

Yes, medications used to lower your BP can affect your Heart Rate and cause it to go lower. However, as far as if the ablation would be a better option for you, you need to discuss that with your EP. Have you had an EP Study yet? In my case, when they did the EP Study, they couldn't determine where my a-fib was triggering. Therefore, in my case, they may end up doing several ablations and it having no result, therefore the meds are a better option for me. However, if they are able to determine the exact point in your heart where you tachy is starting from, then an ablation may be the better option for you. It is really different for every person, so make sure to speak with your EP and see what they say about if they know where your tachy is starting from and if they feel that they would be able to cure the tachy with an ablation. My EP told me the best odds of it working are about 70% if they know where it is starting. If they don't, then the odds drop dramatically (in my case, he said about a 10% chance they would get it with an ablation). So, talk it over with your EP. :)

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