Can psychiatric medications cause ventricular tachycardia?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had VT in my sleep a few months back and was admitted to a hospital. I am consulting a cardiologist regularly. He said that I did not have any problems with my valves. I have a cardiologist appointment this week to check the electrical currents in my heart for the second time. My previous heart monitor test showed that my lows were between 40 and 60 bpm, and my highs were above 120 bpm. It has gone to the highest of 182 bpm. I am on tablets Trileptal, Seroquel, Prazosin, Trazodone, and Ativan for a psychiatric disorder.

Kindly give your suggestions.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Antipsychotics and antidepressants can cause electrical abnormalities in the heart and can lead to VT (ventricular tachycardia). Heart rate may drop to 40 and even 30 beats per minute during sleep, which is normal. During waking hours, heart rate may vary with different activities like exertion, rest, anxiety, or fever.

The heart rate may reach 200 beats per minute with intense exercise, but this should not occur at rest. If it occurs at rest, that is not normal. I suggest you do Holter monitoring and echocardiography. If it has already been done, please share the reports so that I can guide you accordingly.

I hope this has helped you out. Thank you.