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What Do Heart Palpitations And Breathlessness Indicate While On Lexapro?
Question: I am a healthy 65 year old woman. Maybe a little overweight. No meds, except 10mg lexapro. Good diet. No history of heart issues. Recently developed fluttering/pounding/palpitations, accompanied by a bit of shortness of breath. THhis morning, out of nowhere. No chest pain or feeling of weight. Some lightheadedness. Non smoker. Used to use alcohol heavily but not drinking for several weeks. No anxiety issues. Reasonably physically active. Symptoms appear without seeming cause: not upon exertion, etc. Trying to decide whether to visit ER or wait for dr appt. Episodes last 15 minutes to one hour, occurring intermittently.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your recent clinical symptomatology and would explain that your complains (palpitations/fluttering/pounding, shortness of breath and lightheadedness) may be related to lexapro (escitalopram).
In certain individuals SSRIs drugs (including lexapro) may exert several adverse effects including also prolonged QT syndrome, which is a dangerous cardiac condition leading not rarely to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
That's why I recommend you consulting, in case of persistence of these fluttering/palpitations feeling, the nearest ER service at your living area and check a resting ECG, your blood pressure values and some lab tests as follows:
- complete blood count,
- blood electrolytes level,
- BUN and creatinine,
- liver function tests,
in order to exclude first a prolonged QT interval on ECG and any predisposing factors.
If your ECG results OK and no abnormalities are found from your lab tests, then you may safely wait until your attending doctor appointment.
That would be my professional recommendation.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further questions feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your recent clinical symptomatology and would explain that your complains (palpitations/fluttering/pounding, shortness of breath and lightheadedness) may be related to lexapro (escitalopram).
In certain individuals SSRIs drugs (including lexapro) may exert several adverse effects including also prolonged QT syndrome, which is a dangerous cardiac condition leading not rarely to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
That's why I recommend you consulting, in case of persistence of these fluttering/palpitations feeling, the nearest ER service at your living area and check a resting ECG, your blood pressure values and some lab tests as follows:
- complete blood count,
- blood electrolytes level,
- BUN and creatinine,
- liver function tests,
in order to exclude first a prolonged QT interval on ECG and any predisposing factors.
If your ECG results OK and no abnormalities are found from your lab tests, then you may safely wait until your attending doctor appointment.
That would be my professional recommendation.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further questions feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
I would like to know how long have you been taking lamictal.
You should know that Lamictal interacts with Lexapro, by increasing its effects. So, if you have started taking Lamictal lately, this interaction could be the reason of your complaints.
From the other hand, you have stopped taking alcohol lately. Considering the fact that you have been drinking heavily previously, these symptoms could be related to alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Anyway, I would recommend performing the above mentioned tests to be sure that everything is OK.
A resting ECG would help exclude QT prolongation syndrome.
An ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring would be necessary to investigate for cardiac arrhythmia.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
I would like to know how long have you been taking lamictal.
You should know that Lamictal interacts with Lexapro, by increasing its effects. So, if you have started taking Lamictal lately, this interaction could be the reason of your complaints.
From the other hand, you have stopped taking alcohol lately. Considering the fact that you have been drinking heavily previously, these symptoms could be related to alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Anyway, I would recommend performing the above mentioned tests to be sure that everything is OK.
A resting ECG would help exclude QT prolongation syndrome.
An ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring would be necessary to investigate for cardiac arrhythmia.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
You rock!!! Thanks so much for this wonderful help. Saved me a big old expensive trip to ER....scheduled with my primary physician for appointment tomorrow.
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
If you will have any other uncertainties in the future, please feel free to ask me directly at any time.
I would be happy to answer to all of your questions!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
If you will have any other uncertainties in the future, please feel free to ask me directly at any time.
I would be happy to answer to all of your questions!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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