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Taking Verapamil For Supraventricular Arrythmia And Hypertension. Should I Take A Different Drug For Better Control Of BP?

Posted on Mon, 1 Oct 2012

Question: i was placed on verapamil 240 mg once daily for supraventricular arryrhmia and mild hypertention in 1998. i have have no further attacks of s.v.a but my pressure is on average daily 140 /58 and pulse 84 should i move on to a different drug for better control of my b.p

Answered by Dr. Prabhakar C Koregol (10 hours later)

Hello,

Thank you for posting your query.

If you do not have any other health issues such as Diabetes Mellitus or Kidney disease, the blood pressure levels are acceptable and also since you have a good control of your symptoms of Supraventricular arrhythmia, I don't see any need for change of medicines.

If needed, you may be put on beta blockers but in consultation with your physician.

Hope I have answered your query. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Regards,

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

Follow up: Dr. Prabhakar C Koregol (6 hours later)

DEAR Dr. XXXXXXX C Koregol

13 YEARS OF TAKING THE CALCIUM ANTAGONIST VERAPAMIL 240 MG ONCE DAILY SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME TO BE TAKING THAT DRUG.
AS THE SYMPTOM OF SUPRAVENTRICULAR ARRYTHMIA HAS LONG DISAPPEARED AND HAS NOT RE-OCCURED, BUT OCCASIONALLY THERE ARE UN-EXPLAINED SPIKES IN MY BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS SO I DO BELIEVE A CHANGE FROM THAT SPECIFIC CALCIUM ANTAGONIST VERAPAMIL 240 MG. IS WARRANTED AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR VIEWS ON THIS.
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Prabhakar C Koregol (6 hours later)

Hello again Mr. XXXXXXX

Thank you for writing back.

I understand your concerns but verapamil has been used for much much longer periods without any major concerns. Yes only issue here is, if you do not have any further episodes of SVT why be on it, can as well be on other medicines?

Yes if for reasons beyond science, if you want to change the medicine, I do not see any concerns.

Please do XXXXXXX up with your physician and discuss this as he would be the best person to decide on the future course of action as he knows your condition much better than me.

But of course except beta blockers, others have small chances of reccurance of SVT and we may have to reconsider the therapy.

Hope my answer is helpful to you. Do write back if you have any more doubts.

Wishing you good health.

Regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Prabhakar C Koregol (2 hours later)

DEAR Dr. XXXXXXX C Koregol ,
During the eighties I worked for knoll A.G. as a supervisor and a Medical Representative ( it was then a divison of B.A.S.F.) I had the pleasure of launching Isoptin (the original verapamil) in Barbados and other caribbean islands XXXXXXX and Securon and others followed but with arrangement with Knoll A.G..
My cardiologist Dr. XXXXXXX Ishmael was whom I last saw in 1998 and who implemented the drug treatment plan on me.
With a smile he said XXXXXXX I am going to place you on the drug which you previously introduced to me which was of course Verapamil 240 mg.

I am now 4 months into a vegian diet as my body weight since my retirement in 2008 has steadily increased to 250 lbs, my height is 5' x 10'
Thanking you for your thoughts and considerations. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Prabhakar C Koregol (34 hours later)

Hello,

Thank you for writing back.

As I said previously, if for reasons beyond science you want to change the medicine, I do not see any concerns.

Hope I answered all your questions. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries. Wish you Good Health.

Regards,

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

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