Quit smoking and worse heart issues?

Leela_C · 11-13-2006, 11:35 AM

Hi all. I'm finally giving up the smokes! I officially quit last Friday (11/10) around 9 PM. I did have two Sunday evening (I had dinner with my dad who is a smoker and couldn't resist) but I didn't even enjoy it that much and I'm mad at myself for having them.

Some of you have probably read some of my earlier posts, but I will give a quick rundown. I have been diagnosed with sinus tachycardia. I have had tons of tests and no one can find anything wrong. It is the worst when I first get out of bed in the morning. I now take bisoprolol 2.5mg - which is down from the 5mg I used to take before my heart rate started dropping too low. When I first get up in the morning my heart rate is around 100, sometimes even higher, and then I take my beta blocker and within a half hour it is down to 60 and stays there most of the day. I still wonder what the heck is wrong with me, but everyone says nothing. I just had another holter a month or so ago and it was almost perfect - highest hr 119, lowest 47, two PACs and one PVC.

Well now that I'm not smoking, my heart rate is dropping even lower, with a lot more skips and pauses. My heart rate is averaging around 50, but it is not a steady rhythm. I feel skips and pauses A LOT more than usual, and it is really driving me crazy. Yesterday, I only took half of my 2.5mg bisoprolol, but last night my heart rate got a little high, so I took the full 2.5mg this morning. This is driving me crazy. I really want to quit smoking this time, but this crap with my heart is really scaring me. Any chance this could be from nicotine withdrawal? My cardiologist already thinks I am a total nutcase, so I really don't want to call him about this. I don't want to start smoking again, either. UGH!

Oh yeah, and I've been having some chest pain too, which I read can be a sign of nicotine withdrawal. So I don't know what to think about that.

I also had to start taking prometrium (progesterone) because I have PCOS and had to stop taking the pill back in March and now my cycles are all messed up. I asked my doctor and the pharmacist and both agreed that this drug wouldn't have any effect on my heart.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

willk48 · 11-14-2006, 12:05 AM

I remember when I quit my heart rate was lower for about a week during the main withdrawl period. Had a few skipped beats too.

zosolizard · 11-15-2006, 08:38 PM

Hi there!

I quit smoking in May 05.

6 weeks later, I was having daily PAC's, PVC's and chest pain. And it never went away. So now I don't smoke but I feel worse than I ever have in my life. Go figure.

One doctor said that I may have always had the PAC's & PVC's, but never felt them due to the chemicals in the cigs.

I'm now a miserable, but good smelling, woman.

lylone · 11-21-2006, 10:26 AM

Hey Leela,

I quit smoking two years ago as of January 2nd of this coming year and I had my first SVT December last year. I have had about 5 since then including one yesterday. I wonder too if quitting smoking has contributed. It also makes me wonder if anxiety plays a part of it because after taking a xanax and an atenonol my rate was fine after 45minutes. The 45 minutes sure did suck though!

Lyl