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Does Smoking Cigarette Causes Fast Heart Beat, Heaviness In Body And Weakness When On High BP Medicine?

Posted on Mon, 23 Dec 2013

Question: Hi there!. Whenever i smoke a cigarette, my heart starts going fast and I felt a wave of heaviness spreading throughout my body and felt like I was going to pass out so. And my left side gets weak and I have sit down. I am 50 years old and started to smoke a year ago.. I smoke 3 cigarettes a day some time I dont smoke at all. I am on 10 mg of citalopram for anxiety and 25 mg of Cozaar for blood pressure. I have seen cardiologist several time in the past and I was told that I have healthy heart. I don't know what makes me to have such a feeling when I smoke a cigarettes? Thanks much for your help in advance

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Stop Smoking , Get Tested. Detailed Answer: Dear Sir, Cigarette contains nicotine, which can cause sympathetic stimulation causing transient increase in heart rate and blood pressure. However, smoking can lead to brain clots leading to Stroke and left sided weakness, but it is not transient. However, you might had Transient Ischemic Stroke (TIA). Currently i advise you strongly not to smoke, moreover, you are in your 50's. and you already have many risk factors for stroke and heart attacks , like High blood pressure, Sleep apnea. Why to add smoking as one more risk factor in your list Get yourself tested, ECG, Lipid profile, kidney functions, Urine for albumin. And since you know you have sleep apnea, i want to tell you and if you know remind you, that sleep apnea is an established risk factor for coronary artery disease. Stop Smoking At All. See your body is warning you. Feel and take seriously that warning. I hope i am able to solve your query, If still you have something in your mind, you can ask me. Stay Healthy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (38 minutes later)

thanks for the reply. I have been having these kind of symtoms since I had first my panic attack 25 years ago. My left side has always been weak and tense. I did not smoke last 25 years and I am not going to smoke any more. that's for sure. I am on citalopram and gaining weight non-stop. I do diet but it is now help me at all to stop weight gain. I was on prozac and I lost 22 pounds but I had to change to citalopram again because prozac did not help me with my anxiety disorder. What is your diagnoses on this?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (11 hours later)

Brief Answer: escitalopram causes weight gain. Detailed Answer: Dear Sir, If that left hand weakness started with your panic disorders, then it might be a part of it. To say if it's a neurological weakness or not, one needs examine you. So i suppose you can meet your doctor for a neurological examination. Now your next answer regarding your anti-depressants. Yes, escitalopram causes weight gain, and you can't really fight with it. And, Prozac (Fluoxetine) helps in loosing weight. Best way i feel is to either slowly taper and stop escitalopram , by adopting other modalities of treatment like behavioral therapy , or if not possible shifting back to Prozac in modified doses, but all under guidance of your primary care physician. I hope i am able to solve your query, if you are satisfied with the answer, please close the discussion, and rate it. Stay Healthy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (18 hours later)

Dear Sir, I am on citalopram not escitalopram. In fact as a next step my doctor wants me to take escitalopram rather than Prozac. Actually citalopram is the best SSRI so for me. It gives me energy to move on. I also take zolpiclon for insomnia. All my sufferings are interwoven and I am having a hard time to resolve them.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Behavioural Therapy Detailed Answer: Dear Sir, both Escitalopram and Citalopram , both are of same group SSRI, and both cause weight gain. See, if you can't discontinue Citalopram, you have just one way, that is you have to reduce weight by diet control and exercising. I would strongly suggest you to consider a change of anti-depressant under your doctor's guidance and start up behavioural therapy sessions. That will surely benefit you. Else, you will just be taking all these drugs life long, that no one wants. Stay Healthy.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj