Dr. Isaac Gana
Cardiology
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 44-year-old female with heart issues and a family history of heart attacks and heart aneurysms. I have hypertension, and I have been treated with Norvasc 5 mg and Metoprolol 25 mg in the morning and 12.5 mg in the evening. I also have PVCs, PACs, and occasional SVT. I quit smoking two years ago. I have no drug use. I am an occasional drinker, less than eight drinks a week. Although I have a past history of excessive alcohol intake up until a week ago, my blood pressure was normal. In the past, I had a hiatal hernia, removal of the gallbladder, and GERD. Currently, I am on Nexium 40 mg, zinc, multivitamins, Taurine, D3, GABA, turmeric, and a Probiotic. I am also a pre-diabetic with lipase ranging from 74 to 114 over the past two years with no explanation. Over the past week, diastolic has run consistently from 88 to 100 mmHg, with an average of about 93 mmHg. I have increased palpitations that are erratic and in blocks of an hour or so, about four times a day, that have been occurring as well. What could be causing this? My cardiologist ordered a 24-hour Holter, but that seems to be dismissing this.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
The cause of your palpitations seems to be the use of GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid). One of the side effects of GABA is anxiety and anxiety is a big cause of palpitations. This is why the Holter monitor is not showing anything to indicate a problem. In the case of diastolic pressure up to 100 mmHg, this is a very common situation and it is not dangerous. But in general, I will advise you to lose weight very seriously. This will go a long way in helping you achieve normal blood pressure with reduced dependence on drugs. As time goes on, if you do not reduce weight, your body's dependence on antihypertensives will increase. Talk to your physician about GABA. Maybe he might have a substitute with reduced side effects. I suggest you do an EKG (electrocardiogram) to rule out the possibility. Follow up with your EKG report. Best regards.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I have been on GABA for years with only occasional palpitations. This is just a recent aggressive increase with an erratic pulsing and not the early beats I am used to. The high diastolic pressure is correlated with timing. Can you please elaborate?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
High blood pressure and SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) are direct causes of palpitations. I would love to ask you if you experience these palpitations when you are on medications like Metoprolol? Have you recently increased the dose of Metoprolol? Have you been having any psychological or emotional issues in the event of these palpitations? I suggest you do an electrolyte test and an ECG (electrocardiogram). This will go a long way to help determine the root cause of your palpitations. Regards.
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Cardiology
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