Have CRPS and have taken many meds over eth years - since on tramadol I ahve had heart flutters that now lead to racing heart, missing beats and it goes on for hours. I have no energy, feel faint and am totally exhausted doing nothing. Dr's say its a benign PVC - I did NOT have this before the tramadol and its getting worse.
Cardizam made it worse as slowed heart down but then I passed out - I can't live like this - my friend says its the tramadol but the drs don't believe as I can't find true evidence - advise - thoughts please
What medications will cause heart flutters and irregular heart beat?
Question posted by Slow train on 19 April 2014
Last updated on 28 April 2017
5 Answers
StephO
20 April 2014
Tramadol can most certainly affect your brain as well as your heart rate. It speeds me up and my heart does beat oddly. Actually mine pounds. Its more like a speed pill than a pain pill. Cant sleep at night if i take it past noon. Keeps me wired for hours so it stands to reason that its affecting my heart.tramadol gives me energy it dont leave me drained. The symptoms you describe sound odd and are totally different from my experience with tramadol. Personally since Tramadol is for pain id stop taking it for the time being to be safe. Since its an optional take as needed drug. Id go in to talk to my dr about it asap. I dont think that your body is responding as it should and it very well may be that its reacting dangerously.
Slow train
20 April 2014
Thank you, I will do that asap as this really is concerning me well scaring me - we only have one heart and not exactly a second chance
jennine611
30 May 2015
I just got home from the ER because at 1:30 am My heart woke me from a dead sleep because it was racing. I get episodes of afib but this was different. I had taken tramadol for my meniscus tear in my knee. This drug is now on my list of drugs to avoid!
Kawasakizx14
20 April 2014
It may not be just the tramadol, because certain combinations of meds can be dangerous, and tramadol is known for causing T-wave abnormalities. Tramadol like Methadone should not be taking with many other drugs, so make sure you are not taking one that is contraindicated for tramadol.
Further, if you are experiencing frequent PAC's you may be also experiencing sporadic PVC's, as well as bouts of Atrial Fib, as well as Ventricular tachycardia, both of which can be fatal or cause a stroke. PVC's are dangerous if they come one after the other because the blood in the heart is not being pumped to the brain, which is probably what led you to pass out, but it can lead to sudden cardiac death and you should seriously consider either changing meds or seeing a cardiologist.
I am a Nuclear Medicine Tech by trade and specialized in Nuclear Cardiology for 10 years, besides my training I have health problems of my own which has allowed me to communicate with my patients even better. From my own experience I learned that when I felt like my heart was racing and skipped a beat that was always a PAC (Premature Atrial Contraction). But for years on Tramadol I would experience this empty butterfly feeling in my chest that would take my breath away. One day when I was in the ER being treated for an injury I felt one of these episodes come on and I looked up to the monitor to see what it was, to my shock it was a run of PVC's(Premature Ventricular Contractions), otherwise known as V-Tach, and it will make you pass out or kill you if it continues.
It scared the life out of me to see my own heart doing this on the monitor in front of me, and when the ER Doctor came in and I asked him to print me a strip he told me it was nothing and I should drink less coffee, which I only drink one cup a day. It was clear I knew the dangers of this far better than the ER Physician and was glad to get out of that hospital to see a cardiologist that knew what he was doing.
I quite taking tramadol and the problem went away, I did not need to take any Blood Pressure medication or anti-arrhythmia meds after that and have not had the similar problem since.
There is no such thing as a minor heart problem when it is your heart. Best of luck to you, and if you feel the butterflies in your chest that are taking your breath away make sure you have somebody with you, and if they don't go away seek medical attention.
Slow train
20 April 2014
Thank you for that. I feel I am being fobbed off I have been in hospital over night with it and was sent home saying that it was benign arrhythmias and reassured me I wouldn't drop dead. I've been back into ED twice more and the first time I was put on Cardizam and the second time they upped it but I kept passing out so stopped taking them three days ago.
I am booked to have an Echo (no idea when) but im finding this more serious than they appear to be... time and my QOL doesnt seem important... I will hastle my Dr again to see if he can speed things up.
When i was in hospital at beginning of the month they had the heart monitor on my and I think the alarm was set for 7 PVS in a row?? and the alarm kept going off repeatedly and no one seemed worried just kept reassuring me I wouldn't drop dead. Im far from reassured.
The other meds im on are Quetiapine (only med that helps me sleep 50mg), metoclopramide as tramadol makes me nauseous, Baclofan for the spasms from the CRPS and clonazepam
Thank you again for your answer you have certainly given me food for thought.
Kawasakizx14
20 April 2014
There is a simple test called a Holter Monitor or a 7 Day to 30 Day event Monitor that you can wear that is no bigger than a pager and records your hearts activity for 7, 21, or 30 days. It records everything but also allows the user to push a button and make notes about what they are feeling at the time. A cardiologist usually has to prescribe it, but it is much cheaper than an Echo. Then an Electropysiologist reviews your EKG and makes a determination based off of the report.
If you are losing consciousness still then it is a more serious problem and really needs to be addressed.
A gent I used to work with had severe asthma and for years had been taking steroids and he basically lived on inhalers. One day he was not feeling well and he didn't look well either and I ran and EKG on him to see what was going on and he was in bigeminy, which means every other beat was a PVC. Apparently this is common in Asthma sufferers from the meds prescribed.
Think of a PVC as an empty heart beat. The left ventrical that is responsible for supplying blood to the body and brain fires early before it has a chance to fill up with blood. So if your heart rate is 70 bpm and every other beat is a PVC then your actual heart rate that is working correctly is 35 bpm, and that will make you feel terrible, weak, and easily lead to passing out.
Pass out once and it goes away not that big of a deal, but if you have passed out more than once you need to see a qualified Cardiologist and not a Doc in a Box. Passing out could happen while driving or doing something else and cause severe injury or even death, it's nothing to be taken lightly.
Slow train
20 April 2014
Thank you; I passed out when on the Cradizam as my HR went too low, my resting heart rate is 60bpm anyhow. I have asked to be referred to a cardiologist; it just seems to take forever and so far I dont seem to be taken seriously. But I have taken on board what you have said and now have a better understanding of what is happening so again thank you :)
Afolador
9 Aug 2016
Hi Kawasakizx14 my name is Andres Folador, I live in Colombia. I read your post and let me tell you that right now I am at the coronary healthcare services. I had an aborted sudden dead episode. A Ventricular a that reached 284bpm. I was able to arraive to the emergency services where they practiced me a cardioversion process. I am writing because all this happened while I was traininig in my road bike. I was taking tramadol with paracetamol for a hand trauma I had. The doctors here have not found anything irregular in my ecgs and neither in my heart magnetic resonance. They said tramadol has nothing to do with it. But what you wrote is identically what I felt. Like a missing stroke pump and then a feeling of lacking air in my throat. I would like to contact you via email for mor details. Any possibilites? Here they are kind of lost and they want to implant a portabable defibrilator.
Thanks
Andres
Petloverlady1
13 Dec 2016
I have had PVCs for a long time sometimes triple beats every other beat I had an ablation which of course did not work because the PVCs were too close to the aerota valve couldn't get to them I do take arrhythmia medication now which helps tremendously they told me the PVCs are not dangerous just very uncomfortable and worrisome I've taken Tramadol in the past and it never bothered me I do need an antidepressant but cannot take them because of the fear of having more PVCs the medicine does control my PVCs but I really feel I do need a antidepressant of some sort good luck to you
Chyk41
20 April 2014
Any form of an NSAID or any form of a steroid. That is why heart patients are told to avoid most over the counter medications.
Slow train
20 April 2014
I don't buy any over the counter meds - Tramadol is prescription only
hmm I did at one point take Prednisone for asthma and still take inhalers - maybe there is a link there - thank you food for thought :)
Chyk41
20 April 2014
I have asthma as well as well and at one point they thought COPD and I took prednisone and Spiriva. I now use only Ventolin HFA as a rescue inhaler and Singlair as a controller. My inhaler is Albuterol and if I need it I can take two puffs four times a day but no steroid any more because it stresses the heart.
Slow train
20 April 2014
Thank you
I have only been using the ventolin when i really need to - have seretide but have not needed it all summer
kaismama
20 April 2014
Tramadol can cause rapid heart rate. I just went through having my heart acting like that because a dr didn't listen to what I was saying. Its not fun. Certainly not benign. I couldn't walk from my desk to the kitchen without getting short of breathe. In my case I knew what caused it and went back to the medication I had been on for it. It clearly states in the side effects for tram that it can do that. Anti depressants can also. I'd see a cardiologist if I were you.
Slow train
20 April 2014
Trying to get them to believe me is the hard one
I can't take NSADs or stronger meds ( I have CRPS through out my body)
I am seriously thinking about taking myself off the Tramadol but am scared about the withdrawals (I was on Oxycontin at one stage) and what if anything is left for pain
kaismama
20 April 2014
I was on tram for 10 yrs and stopped it easily. Not everyone gets withdrawal. I haven't figured out how to copy on my tablet so go to the search block at the top of the page and type in tramadol when it comes up click on side effects then scroll to the professional section and read cardiovascular. Its right there.
Slow train
20 April 2014
Thank you - will go and look as this is making my life hell - I can't go to the bathroom without being exhausted for hours afterwards
kaismama
20 April 2014
Your inhalers could be adding to the effect of the tramadol, depending on what they are. Albuterol will effect your heart rate for one. I feel you were brushed off too, without a holter done.
Slow train
20 April 2014
Thank you - I feel I need to be a tad more pushy to get some answers!
MommaSissy
13 Aug 2015
My heart has started racing suddenly for no reason. I can't take anything with caffeine in it anymore because it makes me sleepy. I thought the Tramadol has caused me to be sleepy as well. But now I think it is keeping me awake at night and wiring me up during the day, along with making my heart race. I don't know what alternative there is for pain.
Kitty
20 April 2014
I don't have information about your medication but the same thing happened to me and thought about taking myself to the ER. The problem was too
much caffeine. Just a thought.
Slow train
20 April 2014
Thank you - but I don't drink coffee or any drinks with caffeine :(
I drink fruit tea and juices - but thank you :)
DariusMcSean
6 Aug 2016
I/m sorry you got these heart skips. My comment's late too, sorry.
I got PVCs from Tramadol-- my second opinion doc even said. Heart otherwise normal--echo, ECG. Also found out vets gave Tramadol to my dog for an injured leg (he was limping).
I was upset they gave me "dog" medicine... so I called my first doc & asked for a flea collar for myself. He hung up on me. But my second doc thot it was funny.
Anyway, I found out PVCs are usually normal. Also, when you worry about them the cadio guy said you produce adrenaline, which can make them worse & set up a viscious cycle. I worry a lot too about college, grades, tuition... but the doctor said Tramadol affects hr, bp & no one is really sure what it does. And he TOLD me Tramadol did it. 2 days after i quit tramadol the PVCs went bye, bye. Dont just stop tho you got to taper.
Good luck to anyone who's got this it's scary but usually harmless.
CatAnn
11 April 2017
I cut out all caffeine and the heart palpitations declined, but did not go away. I have about 10-20 a day and that's on a GOOD day. I have tramacet and now am afraid to take it in case they get worse... as the poster said happened to her.
CatAnn
29 April 2017
I am the happiest I've been in my life and the heart palpitations are getting worse... started a beta blocker and am terrified to take the med and also that it won't work. Doc says stress makes my palpitations worse, but I tell him I'M NOT STRESSED UNTIL THESE DAMN PALPITATIONS START AND THEN YES, I AM!! I think I am going to die a few times a day. Can't live like this... if this med doesn't work, not sure what I will do...
Related topics
heart disease, pain, reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, tramadol, chronic pain, medication, heart, energy
Further information
- Tramadol uses and safety info
- Tramadol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Tramadol (detailed)
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