Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Attacks Of Tachycardia And Heart Palpitations?
Question: I am a healthy 84 year old female I never smoked, drank alcohol I have been having trouble with attacks of tachachardia I am getting nervous about it just recently I was told by my drhat I this I am taking verapamil I still have those rapid heart beats any suggestion
Brief Answer:
Verapamil a good control of the heart beat
Detailed Answer:
Hello, madame. Thank you for your question and welcome to Health Care Magic. I carefully read your query.
The normal heart beat, standardized for the worldwide population, is 60-100 heart beats per minute. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker, which I am assuming was prescribed to you in an optimal dosage (3x80 mg/d), which slows down the heart rate by acting both on the atrioventricular node, by slowing down the conduction of the electrical impulse, also by affecting on the sinus node - the natural pacemaker of the heart. The main problem here remains to detect if these bursts of tachycardia (if above 100 beats per minute) are regular or irregular, and if they happen due to physiological states (physical activity and/or psychological stress) or not. Good alternative to verapamil are the beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol). But, first, I would recommend you, as mentioned above, to determine whether these bursts are regular or irregular, because this would give us a clue about the further treatment strategy. Therefore, I recommend you to do an EKG (to evaluate the heart electrical and conduction systems, at resting state), an echocardiogram (to see if there is a reason that could produce these tachycardias, by evaluating the size of the heart chambers, and the function of the heart muscles and the valves), and also a 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor (to determine the regularity or the irregularity of the rhythm you sense, by monitoring the heart rhythm in 24 hours. So, basically, an EKG spun in 24 hours). If these were done recently, and no irregular rhythm was detected, then you may discuss with your cardiologist regarding the possibility to be started on the above mentioned beta-blockers. If not, then these three tests are strongly recommended to be carried out, and further decide about the treatment strategy, according to them.
I hope I have been of help. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not. Wish you a good health.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Verapamil a good control of the heart beat
Detailed Answer:
Hello, madame. Thank you for your question and welcome to Health Care Magic. I carefully read your query.
The normal heart beat, standardized for the worldwide population, is 60-100 heart beats per minute. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker, which I am assuming was prescribed to you in an optimal dosage (3x80 mg/d), which slows down the heart rate by acting both on the atrioventricular node, by slowing down the conduction of the electrical impulse, also by affecting on the sinus node - the natural pacemaker of the heart. The main problem here remains to detect if these bursts of tachycardia (if above 100 beats per minute) are regular or irregular, and if they happen due to physiological states (physical activity and/or psychological stress) or not. Good alternative to verapamil are the beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol). But, first, I would recommend you, as mentioned above, to determine whether these bursts are regular or irregular, because this would give us a clue about the further treatment strategy. Therefore, I recommend you to do an EKG (to evaluate the heart electrical and conduction systems, at resting state), an echocardiogram (to see if there is a reason that could produce these tachycardias, by evaluating the size of the heart chambers, and the function of the heart muscles and the valves), and also a 24-hour Holter rhythm monitor (to determine the regularity or the irregularity of the rhythm you sense, by monitoring the heart rhythm in 24 hours. So, basically, an EKG spun in 24 hours). If these were done recently, and no irregular rhythm was detected, then you may discuss with your cardiologist regarding the possibility to be started on the above mentioned beta-blockers. If not, then these three tests are strongly recommended to be carried out, and further decide about the treatment strategy, according to them.
I hope I have been of help. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not. Wish you a good health.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: Get a consultation booked to know more about aging related medical issues. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
