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Hello, I Have Struggled For Years With A Sleep Disorder
Question: Hello,
I have struggled for years with a sleep disorder and just finally tried a low dose (25mg) Of Trazodone for sleep. I have been taking for a week nightly and for the first time in 7 years finally feeling rested as nothing else has worked. My concern is that my heart rate has seemed to slow down I notice “extra heartbeats” more often. I also feel colder and wonder if it is due to a reduced cardiac output. My at-home Kardia ekg says bradycardia but otherwise no abnormalities. I’m frustrated that after finally finding something that works that I’m having side effects. My question is should I stop the medication immediately or see if symptoms go away?
Thanks,
XXXXXXX
I have struggled for years with a sleep disorder and just finally tried a low dose (25mg) Of Trazodone for sleep. I have been taking for a week nightly and for the first time in 7 years finally feeling rested as nothing else has worked. My concern is that my heart rate has seemed to slow down I notice “extra heartbeats” more often. I also feel colder and wonder if it is due to a reduced cardiac output. My at-home Kardia ekg says bradycardia but otherwise no abnormalities. I’m frustrated that after finally finding something that works that I’m having side effects. My question is should I stop the medication immediately or see if symptoms go away?
Thanks,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I don't think that your symptoms are related to Trazodone adverse effects.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not related to Trazodone adverse effects.
You should know that Trazodone is quite safe for the heart. It does not cause any bradycardia or other types of cardiac arrhythmia.
So, I would not recommend stopping it. Maybe you are feeling less anxious and this is the reason underlying your situation ( a lower heart rate, feeling colder).
Regarding the cardiac output, I don't think that it is related to your situation.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests in order to investigate for the possible cause underlying your complaints:
- a resting ECG
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring in order to examine your heart rhythm trends for a prolonged way and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia or Sick Sinus Syndrome
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalance
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible dysfunction.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
I remain at your disposal in case of further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I don't think that your symptoms are related to Trazodone adverse effects.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not related to Trazodone adverse effects.
You should know that Trazodone is quite safe for the heart. It does not cause any bradycardia or other types of cardiac arrhythmia.
So, I would not recommend stopping it. Maybe you are feeling less anxious and this is the reason underlying your situation ( a lower heart rate, feeling colder).
Regarding the cardiac output, I don't think that it is related to your situation.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests in order to investigate for the possible cause underlying your complaints:
- a resting ECG
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring in order to examine your heart rhythm trends for a prolonged way and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia or Sick Sinus Syndrome
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalance
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible dysfunction.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
I remain at your disposal in case of further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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