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What Causes Irregular Heart Beats?
Question: I am 71 years old and the only medicine I am taking is 20mg nightly of simvastatin . My last test in February had my total cholesterol at 196, triglycerides at 131, HDL at 65 and LDL at105 and VLDL AT 26. I have been taking this prescription for at least 5 years and about 2 months ago have started to have an irregular heart beat especially at night and heart burn and more tired than usual. The palpitations wake me up----no pain with them but erractic enough that I can watch them in the pulse on my left wrist. They seem to get better during the day and go hours with no irregularity. Would like to discontinue the simvastatin and see if that is what is causing them. Any suggestions? I am not overweight and exercise regularly. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Read the detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
There are many heart conditions that can cause irregular heart beat such as:Coronary artery disease,Electrolyte imbalances in your blood (such as sodium or potassium),Changes in your heart muscle.
Irregular heart rhythms can also occur in "normal, healthy" hearts.
I suggest to consult a cardiologist and get some investigation such as ECG,Heart ultrasound to find out the right cause of this irregular heart beat.
Simvastatin is a drug used to lower the lipid concentration in blood.This drug has a large number of possible side effect but it doesn't cause irregular heart beats so I don't think this drug is the cause of your palpitations.
Since your lipidic profile(LDL,Total cholesterol, Triglycerides,HDL,VLDL) are in optimal level you can stop taking this drug.You have to be very careful with your food,eat only healthy foods mostly green vegetables and keep exercising a lot.
Monitor your lipid profile every 2-3 months to be sure that the lipids in your blood are in normal range.
Consult with your doctor about this option.
About the heartburn you are feeling it might be due to gastroesophageal reflux which is a condition when the stomach acid moves up into esophagus leading to inflammation of the distal end of esophagus.
You can try following some tips to relieve this sensation:
-Fill up on fibre.For a healthy bowel, you need a variety of fibre such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, fruit and veg, beans and oats.
-Drink plenty of fluids. It's important to keep drinking, especially water. It encourages the passage of waste through your digestive system and helps soften stools
-Avoid caffeine drinks and spicy foods.
-Cut down on fat.Fatty foods, such as chips, burgers and fried foods, are harder to digest and can cause stomach pain and heartburn.
-Raise the head of your bed by around 20cm (8 inches) by placing a piece of wood, or blocks under it.
If this fail to achieve symptomatic relief you can use medications such as Antiacids,proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs),H2-receptor antagonists.
Consult with your doctor for the better choice.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have further questions please feel free to write me ,I will be happy to help.
Take care
Dr.Rovena
Read the detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
There are many heart conditions that can cause irregular heart beat such as:Coronary artery disease,Electrolyte imbalances in your blood (such as sodium or potassium),Changes in your heart muscle.
Irregular heart rhythms can also occur in "normal, healthy" hearts.
I suggest to consult a cardiologist and get some investigation such as ECG,Heart ultrasound to find out the right cause of this irregular heart beat.
Simvastatin is a drug used to lower the lipid concentration in blood.This drug has a large number of possible side effect but it doesn't cause irregular heart beats so I don't think this drug is the cause of your palpitations.
Since your lipidic profile(LDL,Total cholesterol, Triglycerides,HDL,VLDL) are in optimal level you can stop taking this drug.You have to be very careful with your food,eat only healthy foods mostly green vegetables and keep exercising a lot.
Monitor your lipid profile every 2-3 months to be sure that the lipids in your blood are in normal range.
Consult with your doctor about this option.
About the heartburn you are feeling it might be due to gastroesophageal reflux which is a condition when the stomach acid moves up into esophagus leading to inflammation of the distal end of esophagus.
You can try following some tips to relieve this sensation:
-Fill up on fibre.For a healthy bowel, you need a variety of fibre such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, fruit and veg, beans and oats.
-Drink plenty of fluids. It's important to keep drinking, especially water. It encourages the passage of waste through your digestive system and helps soften stools
-Avoid caffeine drinks and spicy foods.
-Cut down on fat.Fatty foods, such as chips, burgers and fried foods, are harder to digest and can cause stomach pain and heartburn.
-Raise the head of your bed by around 20cm (8 inches) by placing a piece of wood, or blocks under it.
If this fail to achieve symptomatic relief you can use medications such as Antiacids,proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs),H2-receptor antagonists.
Consult with your doctor for the better choice.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have further questions please feel free to write me ,I will be happy to help.
Take care
Dr.Rovena
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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