I have been taking verapamil (180mg SR) for two years for migraine
prophylaxis. Since taking the medication I have experienced periodic
episodes of palpitations/irregular heartbeats. My question is twofold.
First, is this something to be concerned about? I have had an EKG and
Holter monitor and my GP claims these palpitations are benign.
Secondly, are these irregularities the result of the medication itself
or a result of a possible calcium imbalance caused by the calcium
channel blocker’s mechanism? In other words, can I counteract this
effect by taking calcium supplements?
Thanks, and pardon my ignorance in this area.
I attribute the following post to Mark Wilson <mark.wil…@ericsson.com>:
>I have been taking verapamil (180mg SR) for two years for migraine
>prophylaxis. Since taking the medication I have experienced periodic
>episodes of palpitations/irregular heartbeats. My question is twofold.
>First, is this something to be concerned about? I have had an EKG and
>Holter monitor and my GP claims these palpitations are benign.
You could possibly have WPW (Wolff-Parkison-White) Syndrome, which would case a
rapid heartbeat if you were administered verapamil. Are you experiencing rapid, or
just irregular heartbeats? WPW is somewhat rare though, and I think you would know
if you had it.
I’m not entirely sure what effects calcium supplements would have while taking
Verapamil- I’d advise you to ask your physician about that, since verapamil works by
blocking calcium out of the arterial muscle cells in order to relax them.
Bobby Tendinitis **bedwarm(at)mail.dotcom.fr**
http://queeg.resnet.wisc.edu/bedwarm
———————————————–
"Thou must do that which lends itself to that which thou art
attempting to pulleth off." – Rev NØrb, in MRR #173
This just in: Denver Nuggets over Golden State.
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I attribute the following post to Mark Wilson <mark.wil…@ericsson.com>:
$ Interesting! Now I’m really wondering, because I have always had blood
$ pressure in the 110/70 range and a resting pulse rate in the 50′s.
$ Again, I was prescribed verapamil for migraine prophylaxis, not for
$ heart problems. My palpitations are not rapid beats; they’re like
$ skipped beats and only occur when I’m at rest. I wonder now whether my
$ skipped beats are due to the verapamil’s effects on an already
$ "efficient" heart?
$ Or could it be that they’re not related to verapamil at all?
$ I can only speculate!
…Or you can consult your physician if you think there’s a problem. The means in
which verapamil works can cause a slower rate of heartbeat, but I’m not sure about
arhythmia or skipped beats.
Remember that verapamil works by blocking the flow of calcium into the muscle cells
of your arteries, thereby relaxing them in order to relieve any chest pain. As a
direct side effect, this can result in a slower heartbeat.
Bobby Tendinitis **bedwarm(at)mail.dotcom.fr**
http://queeg.resnet.wisc.edu/bedwarm
———————————————–
"Thou must do that which lends itself to that which thou art
attempting to pulleth off." – Rev NØrb, in MRR #173
This just in: Denver Nuggets over Golden State.
———————————————–
LuvCats wrote:
> Mark,
> I have been on verapamil (240mg SR)for about 5 years now….not only does it
> control my BP very well, it has been a godsend for palpitations…It has
> controlled them…
Interesting! Now I’m really wondering, because I have always had blood
pressure in the 110/70 range and a resting pulse rate in the 50′s.
Again, I was prescribed verapamil for migraine prophylaxis, not for
heart problems. My palpitations are not rapid beats; they’re like
skipped beats and only occur when I’m at rest. I wonder now whether my
skipped beats are due to the verapamil’s effects on an already
"efficient" heart?
Or could it be that they’re not related to verapamil at all?
I can only speculate!
Mark