Recently Answered Questions
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I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Can it cause prolonged QT?
Query: Hi doctor, I went to the emergency room with fast heartbeats. The doctor did an EKG and chest x-ray, and he said I had pneumonia. But, my QT was slightly prolonged. He repeated the EKG after a week later and said it was fine. Should I be concerned about the prolonged QT? Can pneumonia have caused it... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. How much was your QT? Pneumonia will not cause QT prolongation. Since it has resolved, it was probably due to some reversible causes like electrolytes abnormalities like hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, etc. Many drugs also cause QT prolongation, so drugs need to be rev... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, I would really appreciate some advice on what to do. I am a 31-year old-female. About four months ago, I started experiencing bad anxiety and panic attacks. I went to a doctor for blood tests and ECG, just to rule out any health issues. In fact, I had two ECGs done three months ago. ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. How much was QTC? Diagnosis of long QT is not a difficult one, so if he is saying it is within the normal limits, then it may be. Slight variations in the QTC may occur from time to time with changes in the heart rate. If both of your QTC... Read Full »
Can Sertraline cause cardiac problems?
Query: Hello doctor, I have anxiety disorder from the age of 15 (will be 35 by the end of this month). I started having frequent panic attacks and debilitating anxiety after my grandmother's death. Before all this, I had been on Paxil. Six months before, my doctor switched me to Zoloft 50 mg and increased ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. Zoloft (Sertraline) is an effective and safe SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) for managing anxiety disorder. Zoloft is generally considered a low risk for QTc (is an electrocardiogram representation of v... Read Full »
Can stress or physical exertion trigger long QT syndrome?
Query: Hi doctor, I need a doctor’s note explaining how long QT syndrome can cause SOB, dizziness, confusion, and weakness and how it can be triggered by stressful situations or physical exertion. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Long QT syndrome as such will not cause weakness or shortness of breath and day-to-day dizziness. It causes episodic symptoms only. Exercise or stress causes the release of adrenaline and other hormones which can precipitate arrhythmias. It causes ventricular tachyca... Read Full »
Is it safe to use Klonopin when at increased risk of QT prolongation?
Query: Hello doctor, I have been suffering from panic attacks and anxiety for several years, and on top of that essential tremor affects my everyday life. A couple of weeks ago, my doctor prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam) for me, but there are some things I am worried about after googling a bit. Does Klonop... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Long term Clonazepam, as well as high dose clonazepam, puts you at a risk for developing acquired long QT, having said that a QTC of 447 msec is within the prescribed i.e < 460 msec limit for women. Oxazepam is safer but if you combine either of these with anoth... Read Full »
I am taking Citalopram. Does my EKG show QT prolongation?
Query: Hello doctor, I just did some EKGs on a portable device and they all said not abnormal. Would just like an expert to look them over to make sure they agree and it is correct? I just started Citalopram 10 mg for about five days and now on 20 mg daily for the past two days. Saw that it could cause a ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. After carefully reviewing your uploaded ECG recordings, I would like to assure you that your QTc interval is not more 440 ms, which is not dangerous or life-threatening for a female patient. Coming to this point, you are not actually at an increased risk of cardiac a... Read Full »
I suffer from PTSD, bipolar, and major depression. What is the treatment?
Query: Hello doctor, I am 26 years old, female who has PTSD, bipolar and major depression. I also suffer from migraines, anxiety and insomnia. I am on topamax 100 mg twice a day, clonapin 0.5 thrice a day as needed, Paxil 10 mg in the morning (recently started) also for the insomnia I was started on elavil... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your concerns. I feel that Topamax 200mg which works well for migraine has a little role in bipolar disorders. Studies show that monotherapy with topamax is not recommended but instead of taking topamax, you can try sodium valproate (Depakote xr 750mg at night) ... Read Full »