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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Rapid Heart Rate After Taking Ativan?

I am taking avitan(.5 mg 3 times a day)and lexapro 5 for the last few days.(since Tuesday) I have been on lexapro prviously. I have been doing college work non stop today and Im feeling stressed but more than that I am feeling what I believe to be an SVT. It is not a very fast heart beat but somewhat different. I have experienced SVT s before and I have been on medication for it (diltiazem). I am not sure what to do right now...this does not feel serious but I checked up side effects and it seems that irregular heart rate is a serious side effect.. Am I supposed to be seeking medical attention?
Thu, 21 Dec 2017
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I passed carefully through your question and would explain that lexapro could lead to an increased risk for SVT and any other cardiac arrhythmia. It also can lead to QT prolongation on the ECG.

For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing a resting ECG and some blood lab tests (complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes).

You may need to switch from lexapro to another antidepressant with fewer adverse effects on the heart (like sertraline).

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
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What Causes Rapid Heart Rate After Taking Ativan?

Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I passed carefully through your question and would explain that lexapro could lead to an increased risk for SVT and any other cardiac arrhythmia. It also can lead to QT prolongation on the ECG. For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing a resting ECG and some blood lab tests (complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes). You may need to switch from lexapro to another antidepressant with fewer adverse effects on the heart (like sertraline). Hope you will find this answer helpful! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri