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Suggest Treatment For Severe Heart Palpitations

Posted on Wed, 12 Apr 2017

Question: i HAVE DEVELOPED IRREGULAR HEART BEAT AFTER BEING TAKIN DRUG FOR OVER ONE YEAR. wHAT DO i DO?. MY EMAIL ADDRESS YYYY@YYYY IS VALID

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please mention the drug you are on from one year.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Palpitations or arrhythmia can be a side effect of many drugs.Some drugs effect electrolyte balance of body(like diurerics) which can leads to irregular heart beats.However as your age is 95 palpitations can also be suggestive of any physiological or pathological problem with heart.

So firstly for a professional advice please mention the medicine you were on from last one year.After that i can advice you whether to go for cardiac investigations or whether to switch over to other drug.
Waiting.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rishu Saxena (31 minutes later)

Yes Docotor, didn't realize I didn't mention the drug, Allopurinol 300 mg, and as you mention I do take furosimide 40 mg.

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely due to electrolyte imbalance.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Most likely frusemide is responsible for palpitation.Frusemide causes severe electrolyte disbalance(specifically potassium).Loss of potassium friom body can cause severe hypokalemia and may precipitate irregular heart beats.Allopurinol does not cause palpitations.
Advice
Serum sodium and potassium levels should be checked if they are normal investigations to be done are -
24 hour holter monitoring- to see the nature of irregular beats.
2d echo test to rule out any pathological problem with heart.
Follow up with reports!
Thanks.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad