Valsartan and Heart Palpitations: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• April 23, 2010

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been on this medication for about six years. At first, it lowered my blood pressure, but lately, I am still in the 140s over 90s, and recently started having ringing in my ears. During the time I was taking this, I would become tired during the day and could not walk up one flight of stairs without being out of breath. I started on a workout regime for 9 months now to get into shape and still had fatigue and shortness of breath. I also started to have slight heart palpitations, so I decided to quit all medicines, keep track of my blood pressure, and went to the doctor and told him my symptoms and plans. I changed my lifestyle to be much healthier than it had been with diet and exercise. No more fatigue and pressure is even better."

• dds...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2014

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "I recently started taking this medication for about 1 month, 80mg/day, and I have experienced shortness of breath going up one flight of stairs, muscle weakness during light housework, and heart palpitations for no reason, dizziness, and fatigue. I went on vacation to Palm Desert and wasn't watching my sodium intake and not keeping hydrated. I paid dearly by watching my blood pressure go from 140/90 to 180/105 and ended up at urgent care. Doc gave me Diazide to flush out the sodium, and now my blood pressure is 110/70. The cardiologist decreased Diazide to 40mg. Some of Diovan's side effects are dissipating with this reduction. I am not happy taking any medication unless necessary, especially at the age of 46. Hope to be off all medicines soon."

• Ken...
• March 31, 2015

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Taking for 15 years. I'm 67. Controls my blood pressure well. I take 160mg. I'm normal weight and very active (triathlons and marathons). If I train very hard and drop weight, I get dizzy sometimes so I cut the pill in half and that does the trick. I occasionally get heart palpitations, but I had that before the drug. I used to get terrible migraines before Diovan, when I started taking Diovan, it was like a miracle drug for the migraines - essentially eliminated them. I still get them now infrequently and not as severe. I have ringing in the ears, but I don't know if it's from the Diovan or not, but it's not a problem for me."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2012

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Diovan HCT has controlled my blood pressure for over 10 years. Recently, though my potassium has dropped, I've experienced atrial fibrillation, and have noticed ringing in my ears. I have gone to just Diovan and have dropped the diuretic."

• Swe...
• May 15, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I started valsartan a month ago. I am experiencing hair loss, body aches, heart palpitations, my head throbs, anxiety, but that could be from my heart racing at times. (Which is something that has never happened to me until I was put on this medicine.) It seems like my vision is blurry at times. My blood pressure runs about 135/85. Although some days I check it and it's all over the place. My face also is flushed since starting this medication."

• Fai...
• May 6, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I take Valsartan 80 mg once a day for BP, but BP is never stable. It lowers the BP, but sometimes it's as if I haven't had any BP medication. Along with this, there are an awful lot of strange sensations throughout the day. I've been taking it for 3 months now. Side effects: from feelings of tightness, palpitations, to lightheadedness and right side of abdomen flushing pains."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "160 once daily for about 6 weeks now. They made me want to stare at the wall at first, some heart palpitations. Tried breaking in half and taking twice daily to no avail. Back to once daily, noon w/food. Good control over bp but seems short-lived. 157 in the mornings to 130 for about 4-5 hours after taking then back to 150's. Suspect 160mg twice daily will be discussed but don't think I can tolerate that. Hair noticeably thinning and increased joint pain on 160mg once daily, 320 not likely. Affects everyone differently but I do read similar sides in others. Good luck!"

• cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I took valsartan for 10 days. First couple of days were ok. Then I developed jitteriness, uncontrolled shaking, chest pain, palpitations, headache, burning in stomach, nausea, heavy crawly feeling in my legs, severe muscle weakness, dizziness, and cold sweats. My blood pressure got really low: 90/69, pulse 105. I called my doctor, and he said those weren't side effects. I looked on the insert, and they were all there. I quit taking it two days ago and am starting to feel better."

• Dea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on this medication for some time now, and I have shortness of breath, palpitations, was put on a heart monitor for a month. Results show no heart problems. I am plagued with shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of my feet and hands, and this is worst in the summer. Dry mouth, sometimes my throat hurts from talking. I don't like taking meds because of all that is hidden from us by the drug companies. PS: accepting the terms and policy is not true."

• Run...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 26, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "7 years ago, my blood pressure skyrocketed to 110/100. I was going through some personal issues at home, and the doctor put me on Toprol (beta-blocker), didn't work, having heart palpitations. I started running and also changed my meds to Diovan 160 mg. BP went down to 110/70."

• Mir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Valsartan 80 mg once per day since 6 months ago, never controlling my BP to ideal, though. For the first month or so, my blood pressure was all over the place, super high, then very low, and I had heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness. After the first month or so, all those symptoms were gone, but then I started noticing the amount of hair I was losing, it is alarming. At this rate, I will be almost bald in no time. I am thinking of trying a different medicine, but the reviews for most of them address the same side effect, hair loss. I read here, I believe, that taking CoQ10 helps with hair loss, so I will try, and I will also ask my doc to change to the brand name. I have been using the generic."