Should I Take Verapamil Inspite Of Having Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Posted on Tue, 10 Jun 2014

Question: I HAVE HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY. VERAPAMIL 180MG IS PRESCRIBED FOR ME. AFTER READING THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS CALCIUM BETA BLOCKER I AM HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT TAKING IT. IS IT WORTHWHILE TO PROLONG LIFE AT THE COST OF A VERY POOR QUALITY OF LIFE TAKING THI MEDICINE. HOW LONG DOES ONE HAVE TO BE ON THIS MEDICINE AND HOW MUCH CAN IT PROLONG LIFE FOR AN 82 YRS OLD WOMAN. THANK YOU.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Thakker (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
beta blocker instead of verapamil

Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,
Greetings from health care magic!!! I am Dr Thakker and shall be answering your question. I will try me best to help you out with your problem.

HOCM is a condition of the heart wherein the muscles of the chambers become thick. Verapamil is given to slow the heart rate so that this allows more filling of the ventricles and leads to a good cardiac output. As a major side effect, verapamil causes constipation and tiredness. This is important because of your age. I would suggest you can take a beta blocker instead. This also slows the heart rate, but it does not have the side effects of constipation and tiredness.

I suggest you discuss my views with your treating cardiologist. If they agree switching over to beta blocker should take care of HOCM with relatively less side effects.

I hope this helps you out. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to write back to me.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Thakker.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad