Hi and thanks for reading my post.

I've experienced 2 episodes of tachycardia. The first one was a reaction to geodon or effexor, or the combination of the two. I went to the hospital and was given the diagnosis of panic attacks/anxiety even though my pulse was constantly above 120, and even woke be up in the middle of the night because of chest pain and a pounding heart. I stopped both medications, and the tachycardia stopped shortly afterwards.

Two weeks ago, in an attempt to have a quick fix to my crippling psychotic depression, I took large doses of remeron (120 mg per day) amitriptyline (25 mg per day) and seroquil (125 mg per day) for a week or so. My heart rate had risen by the end of the week to the point of having pain again in my chest. My pulse hovered around 140. I went to the hospital again. This time they took me a little more seriously, since it was a continuing problem. They ran every test they could on me ( EKG, ultra sound, cardiagraph, stress test, etc.) took several blood and urine tests and monitored my heart over night. Everything was A-OK, I just happened to have a pulse rate that wouldn't go below 120. They dismissed me again with a Rx of xanax, and told me to follow up with a Dr. I did as directed.

Anyway, my heart rate went down with the xanax to a little above 100, but it stayed there for a week. Yesterday I went off the xanax. My heart rate once again went above 120 and stayed there, and the heart pain returned. One might think the best thing to do would be to stay on the xanax, and let things be, but my heart rate before this happened was 80, and I never had to take any antianxiety medication. At this point I'm wondering what the f*** is wrong and what the hell I should do. Every time I go to the hospital they dismiss me with the same diagnosis, but I'm 20 years old, and my blood pressure is perfect, and as severeal Drs and nurses have commented, "I shouldn't ever be having any pain in my heart".

Any insight or help would be appreciated.

Hi, I really don't know anything that would help you out... but my heart rate is always 100, always has been. I get a pounding heart beat a lot too, I have big blood pressure changes (usually low) which makes that happen with dizziness. I also have an anxiety disorder but I'm not sure that that's the cause, as it happens mostly when I'm lying down relaxed. I hope you find some help for it. Good luck!

I have tachycardia that went undiagnosed for over 10 years. They kept patting me on the head telling me it was panic disorder. Finally, my rate went to 150 for over 5 hours. As I was in the ER my BP dropped to 50/30. FInally, they took me seriously.

I started taking a beta blocker that helped me with both the anxiety and tachy. I also now take klonopin. Both meds have improved my life in ways I cannot explain. Klonopin is in the same family as xanax but is longer lasting and usually taken daily. I think many tachycardias, arrythmias, and anxiety (as well as MANY MANY other ailments) are VERY related and intertwined. I also think it is a physical/physio problem...NOT all in our heads.

I would find a good cardio and a GREAT psychiatrist. They CAN help!!

Hey,
I have Tachycardia, I don't have "episodes", I have CONSTANT exteme tachycardia where my heart rate has NEVER been below 120 my entire life (or atleast the past 7-8 years where I have been monitored). I also don't have depression/anxiety. Because of that, I can't really give much advice on episodes of tachycardia, but I can tell you that you NEED a very good cardiologist. You should also look into the ingredients of the meds you are taking, as my guess is that they contain stimulants (anti depression meds usually do, therefore they make your heart rate go up). Especially if you took large doses of it like you said, it's a reaction to the chemicals.... don't do that, and maybe you won't get tachy :) Maybe it could all go back to normal (80s) if you stopped taking the meds, which I know would be tough. If they put you on anti-anxiedty meds, you probably shouldn't just stop them cold turkey, it could be a jolt to your system, which could have caused your last episode. I'm not a doctor, but I've been to about a bazillion doctors and have researched like crazy. Get a good psych and a good cardio and make sure they work TOGETHER, so you aren't prescribed anything that could affect the other symptoms, unless you wanna be prescribed more meds ontop of more meds, etc etc.
Hope it all works out for you!!

Get a good psych and a good cardio and make sure they work TOGETHER, so you aren't prescribed anything that could affect the other symptoms, unless you wanna be prescribed more meds ontop of more meds, etc etc.
Hope it all works out for you!!

Exactly. During the years I was told it was all in my head and tried A LOT of different anti-depressant type meds...it was bad. When I brought the list of meds I had been on in the past years to my new psychiatrist..he said I am lucky they didnt kill me. Some of the drugs in combo and alone were quite bad for me. But because the tachy was never diagnosed...know what I mean??

Hi. My 3 year old son has SVT (supraventricula tachydia) This was diagnosed when he was 2 weeks old and has been on beta blockers since. With out these his heart beats over 300 beats per min. Even with the beta blockers he still goes into SVT quite a lot. His normal heart rate is about 130 beats per min.

Thank you all for your replies. They have been helpful. I will especially heed the advice of having the psyhciatrist and cardiologist work together.

I'm getting really concerned now though. This is totally new to me unlike many of you who have replied. I've stopped my meds 2 weeks ago yet my heart rate remains exactly the same whether on or off xanax ( 100 or 120) as it was 2 weeks ago. I would think if it had anything to do with the massive amounts of meds I took, it would at least have decreased somewhat. Am I wrong? How long do these things take to exit the system?

Thank you all for your replies. They have been helpful. I will especially heed the advice of having the psyhciatrist and cardiologist work together.

I'm getting really concerned now though. This is totally new to me unlike many of you who have replied. I've stopped my meds 2 weeks ago yet my heart rate remains exactly the same whether on or off xanax ( 100 or 120) as it was 2 weeks ago. I would think if it had anything to do with the massive amounts of meds I took, it would at least have decreased somewhat. Am I wrong? How long do these things take to exit the system?


TMAPG I don't think those drugs would have anything to do with your Rapid Heart rate but I am not a doctor. I do know that 30 years ago when I had a physical I had an EKG and he redid it. I had a rapid heart rate and he had me test it at home also .I was 150 beats per min resting and I was put on a beta blocker and after adjusting the dose I got down to 90 + or- 10. Good luck.

TMAPJ,
Hello. I am not sure how long you've been on the Xanax, but yes it can cause the rapid heart beat. My husband has been on Xanax for severe panic disorder for twelve years and about four years ago, he decided to try and stop taking them (along with his doctor's approval) He went for a solid month before even feeling the least bit better. He had the same racing heart. You should never stop taking Xanax abruptly because of the withdraw. You should taper yourself off slowly. Unfortunately it didn't work for my husband, he was so bad off that he was basically home bound for about 9 months. He decided it was just something that his body obviously needed and that taking it wasn't so bad afterall. He now takes it reguarly along with his anti-d, Serezone, and is back to normal. He still has episodes every now and then of the racing heart but overall he does fine. I would ask the doctor if they think stopping the Xanax could be the culprit.

Strange. I have NEVER heard of a benzo making the heart race. I have taken several thru out the years and if anything, they have made me more calm, making my heart rate even lower.

I would talk to the Dr about this.

Did it sound like that is what I was saying, that the Xanax is causing it? I am sorry, I must have not made that clear through my rambling, I was saying, or meant to say :) that the withdraw will cause that, not taking the medicine. Hope that makes more sense. But I did read on the web that some of the possible side effects are as follows:

side effects can include:

Sleep apnea
Hypoventilation (Respiratory depression)
Blurred vision
Difficulty in depth perception
Slurred speech or dysarthria
Changes in personality
Confusion
Disorientation
Amnesia (memory impairment)
Vivid dreams and/or nightmares
Jaundice
Tachycardia
Bradycardia
Changes in plasma cortisol and ACTH levels
Blood dyscrasias
Decreased salivation
Increased salivation
Diarrhea
Constipation
Nausea
Elevated hepatic (liver) enzymes
Incontinence
Rare paradoxical side effects can include:

Nervousness
Anxiety
Agitation
Rage
Insomnia
Muscle spasms and rigidity

So I guess it really just depends on the person. My husband does experience racing heart on rare occasion, but then again, who knows if it's just the anxiety? My guess would be yes for his situation.

OHHH!! Yes, I can TOTALLY see that!! I think ANY w/draw..especially from a sedative would or could cause tachy!!

Dont those lists of possible side effects make you nuts??? I mean, I swear, there is such a HUGE list for EVERY drug. It makes me so afraid to take ANYthing. That is why once I find something that pretty much helps and doesnt KILL me in the process, I never want to switch!!!

Yes they do. You know what else I think is hilarious? Those commercials for medications and they will tell the possible side effects and I swear half of the list is compiled up of things that you are trying to relieve! I too hate taking anything new and want to make completely sure that it's not going to kill me or something. I mean, you never know. They say things are safe, they put them out on the market, and then four years down the road they are ripping it off the shelves due to it harming people. You just have to make sure before you take anything these days! :rolleyes:

I was told Tachycardia is technically a heart rate over 100 bpm without exertion. Mine stays pretty low, in the 60's at rest. BUT i am also on a beta blocker. I know you're scared. Just remember that caffeine, chocolate , which has caffeine in it, over the counter meds like decongestants can all attribute to an excellerated HR. I cannot even have sugar. (one would think iwould be really thin but I'm not) If I have even one glas of orange juice my HR will be at least in the 80's for about 3 hrs. Anyone else have this ? Take care.

I agree.. I was on Vioxx on and off for a few yrs. I loved it!! Then look what happened. I too am paranoid about meds. Even if my cardiologist tell me it is fine. I actually trust my Pharmacist on meds more than docs..

I hear you on the pharmacist thing! I asked my GP about being pregnant and being on a beta blocker, he said it was fine, no problem. The cardiologist said it was fine also except towards the end of pregnancy that I should stop taking it. The pharmacist said that if I were his wife, he'd never agree to letting me take it while pregnant! So many conflicting opinions, you'd think there would be one solid answer, yes or no. I am guess that is asking for too much and they just expect us to take our chances???? Thanks but no thanks, I like facts. :)

You have to weigh the risks with the benefits when it comes to taking meds during pregnancy. All 3 of my Drs (GP, Cardio, and OB) ALL said it was best for me to stay on the propranolol during my entire pregnancy. I did. Everything turned out great. My pregnancy was completely great and uneventful...no problems what so ever. I like to get opinions from pharmacists too..but you have to realize that they do not have your chart in front of them. If you were to say go into SVT thru out your pregnancy, it could cause a lack of significant oxygen and blood flow to the baby. In my Drs opinons, that would far outweigh the risks of the BB.

Yeah I see what you are saying. I guess I just worry about all the different opinions and wonder who is right and who is not. I felt a little more comfortable with the cardiologist telling me it was ok than I did the GP, cause I usually never trust the GP. But I have been told by a family friend who is a pharmacist too that you just have to weigh the risks and benefits.

I just started taking ativan a few weeks ago, not everyday or anything just when i feel the need for them. I noticed on 2 of the nites i took them i woke up with a racing heart, now i had taken them more than those 2 nites and it never happened but i went a few nites without taking one and no racing heart. I have read that the benzo's can cause this but it just seems odd it only happened 2 nites out of taking them.

Most likely it was not the Ativan that caused a problem with you waking up with a racing heart, Confused. After I started having severe anxiety and panic attacks, I would sometimes wake up with a racing heart and a feeling of panic. Its the anxiety, not the drug. If it were the drug, you'd also be having the problem during the day - not just at night. Never, ever stop a benzo cold turkey! The withdrawals are terrible. I know - I experienced it and didn't know what was happening. The doctor had failed to warn me not to stop Xanax suddenly. If you wean yourself off, you should have no withdrawal symptoms at all. But, to be honest with you (OP) I think you should still be on the Xanax, since it obviously seems to help you.

What do they consider sudden withdrawl if its only being taken maybe once a a day sometimes not even once a day?? Do i still have to worry about withdrawl symptoms?? The ativan does seem to help relax me and my mind isnt racing but i dont want to take it all the time, i want to try to live my life and not have the anxiety and only take it if really needed, i dont want to worry about getting off of it thats why i try to just take it as needed. I hardly ever take it during the day, i notice my anxiety is worse in the evening after worrying all day about my symptoms or problmes, that is when i need it is to calm me down at nite cause if i try to go to bed all anxious it only gets worse.

NYC - I am experiencing a similar problem. Do they know why your heart rate won't go below 120? Mine won't go below 100 and I am on Toprol XL 50 mg. Before I started taking medications mine wouldn't go below 120 either. This is recent for me although I think that it has slowly been getting worse over time. None of the doctors I have seen have been able to provide me with any answers so I was wondering what they have said to you.

i have made two trips to emergency room in 2 months for tachycardia. i have a mitral valve prolapse and have been under alot of stress and have had anxiety all my life. i have had no problems with anxiety or palps or fast heart rate in 2 yrs then all of a sudden i have it all again. im wearing the event monitor for 30 days.my heart only seems to race when i try to sleep. they said i have sinus tachycardia and wanted me to start on xanax as needed. like everyone else i have medicine phobia so havent started on it yet. my heart rate was up to 170 when the ambulance got here the other night but had settled down to 118 when we got to the hospital. i was there for 8 hrs monitored and nothing. im thinking this is stress induced.

So if u have sinus tachycardia is it ONLY at resting? It doesn't go faster if u move around? They said my s/o has sinus tachycardia and I'm trying to figure out what that means. His blood pressure is running slow how does that tie into the fast bpm? Please help....

So if u have sinus tachycardia is it ONLY at resting? It doesn't go faster if u move around? They said my s/o has sinus tachycardia and I'm trying to figure out what that means. His blood pressure is running slow how does that tie into the fast bpm? Please help....

Well, many ppl with tachy have low BP especially during the tachy. If your heart is beating too fast, it doesnt give enough time for the blood to pump properly thus lowering your BP. During my episode in the ER - my BP dropped dangerously to 50/30. That is the biggest reason you need to call for help if you are having sustained tachy. You could pass out due to drop in BP (which I was VERY close to passing out and I even had an IV at the time). And you definatly should not drive yourself. If you pass out at the wheel you endanger others, not only yourself.

I think sinus tachy acts very similar to SVT. It can come and go and it can be treated with meds. Many people just have a higher resting rate, especially some people who are overweight and out of shape. And on the other hand - people who are in athletic shape can have very low resting rates. Our president just had his yearly physical and I guess he is in such great shape his resting rate is 47!! Lance Armstrong's resting rate was like 39!! I cant imagine!!

thank you for that information :)

My s/o is 30 yrs old and in very good physical shape and is not overweight at all. Has anyone heard of remeron (the anti-depressant) causing fast heart rate? He is off of that now, but was on it for 3 weeks.

thank you for that information :)

My s/o is 30 yrs old and in very good physical shape and is not overweight at all. Has anyone heard of remeron (the anti-depressant) causing fast heart rate? He is off of that now, but was on it for 3 weeks.


I was on remeron for a while in my 20s. Any antidepressant can trigger an arrythmia. It didnt for me at the time - that I was aware of - but I gained A LOT of weight on it.

I found this (& wanted to post it because it might help someone else too?)

Remeron®: mirtazapine - pronounced "mer-ta´za-peen"
side effects/adverse reactions:
blood: Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia

central nervous system: Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (elderly), increased psychiatric symptoms, seizures

gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, increased appetite, cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice, hepatitis, stomatitis

urinary: Retention, acute renal failure

skin: Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity

cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations

ears, eyes, nose, & throat: Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis

I just started taking ativan a few weeks ago, not everyday or anything just when i feel the need for them. I noticed on 2 of the nites i took them i woke up with a racing heart, now i had taken them more than those 2 nites and it never happened but i went a few nites without taking one and no racing heart. I have read that the benzo's can cause this but it just seems odd it only happened 2 nites out of taking them.

That is EXACTLY the problem with short acting benzos like Ativan...it wears off at 3AM and panic sets in, and you waken terrified and anxiety ridden with a pounding heart. Toss the Ativan out...it is a DREADFUL drug. I cannot stress this too much.

If you want a benzo that WORKS, ask your doctor for diazepam. Even the Xanax is a FAR better idea than Ativan.


tmapj (if you are still with us)
geodon or effexor, or the combination of the two. I went to the hospital and was given the diagnosis of panic attacks/anxiety even though my pulse was constantly above 120, and even woke be up in the middle of the night because of chest pain and a pounding heart. I stopped both medications, and the tachycardia stopped shortly afterwards.

Two weeks ago, in an attempt to have a quick fix to my crippling psychotic depression, I took large doses of remeron (120 mg per day) amitriptyline (25 mg per day) and seroquil (125 mg per day) for a week or so. My heart rate had risen by the end of the week to the point of having pain again in my chest.

The only thing that amazes me is that the response to this pile of antidepressants and antipsychotics wasn't even WORSE. I'd think that that heap of horrors would be reserved for those confined to a supervised ward.
Any one of them could have caused serious tachycardia...God knows about combining them.:dizzy:
I hope you're off them all by now?

That is EXACTLY the problem with short acting benzos like Ativan...it wears off at 3AM and panic sets in, and you waken terrified and anxiety ridden with a pounding heart. Toss the Ativan out...it is a DREADFUL drug. I cannot stress this too much.

If you want a benzo that WORKS, ask your doctor for diazepam.

Diazepam has about the same half life as lorazepam (ativan) and xanax. They all have about a 4 hour half life.

Klonopin is a benzo that has about a 40 hour half life. It is longer lasting and usually taken as a maintenance drug, but also works fast enough to use prn (as needed). I take it daily and cannot stress enough how it has changed my life!!