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Link between Seroquel and Heart Problems?
My psychiatrist put me on Seroquel approximately 4-5 years ago, on a low dose of 100mg, as a sleep aid.
Apparently it is used as an anti-psychotic in high doses, however in low doses it can be used as a sleep aid because of its anti-histamine properties (that are found in allergy pills for example that make you sleepy).
Fast forward to this past June, and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Congestive Heart Failure, the "idiopathic cardiomyopathy" kind, idiopathic meaning the doctors don't know how or why I now have this. It came on VERY suddenly.
I was hospitalized for a week, all of the 'usual' tests, and I was free of any clots or blockages. My ejection fraction was 20-25%.
Trying to find a cause:
A virus? I haven't been sick in a long time, not even a cold.
I have never smoked or used illicit drugs; I have maybe a dozen alcoholic drinks per year, and there is no history of heart failure in my family. So they went through all of my current meds to see if there was a cause.
I have been on Seroquel (100mg), Clonazepam as needed, Wellbutrin, and Citalopram (20mg) for years.
After the doctors did some quick research, the Cardiologist took me off the Seroquel immediately, saying heart failure was a possible side effect, however extremely small the chance might be.
My psychiatrist has since told me "it's not the Seroquel".
It's a long shot, but has anyone been told their Seroquel use led to heart failure?
Thank you for any help.
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Hi,
also trying to establish a cause of recent heart problems, with a strong suspicion of Quetiapine/Seroquel. Was on Seroquel for approx 12 months for BPII, up to 600mg a day. Whilst on it I noticed my HR was higher, particular at resting. I've been athletic most of my life, swimming and running, but stopped post diagnosis and finally stopped running whilst on Seroquel.
During the year after coming off Seroquel I started having heart issues, with low resting HR, palpitations and dizzy. It's now escalated and I'm out of breath just walking around, and my heart rate does really weird things like drop when walking (from 60 to 40), but fine when resting. I keep skipping beats, can no longer exercise, and my HR drops when I sleep to 35!.
I've been to the ER, had a full work up, including an angiogram, and structurally I'm awesome, no plaque, no blockages, no issues! so I'm off to see a cardiologist who things It's just electrical, with a suggestion of a pacemaker! I'm a 43 year old, reasonably healthy male with no other cardiac risk (non smoker, very infrequent drinker, did get plenty of exercise, no family history, etc)....
I'm trying to work out what Seroquel may have contributed to this picture! And if so, find out a possible way of resolving the issue without having to resort to a pacemaker.
Anyone in this thread found a connection? or can please update on any related information from your own experience? updates please!
Further investigation seems to more point to heart block in people with ankylosing spondylitis due to HLA-B27. I have Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis which is in the same family as AS, so it looks like my Psoriasis is the culprit and Seroquel had no contribution to this issue. Will update if I get anything more conclusive from my Cardiologist.
I really didn't like Seroquel/Quetiapine, but it saved my life and did the job it needed to 🙂
ive been on quitiapine ,600mg per day since 2008,i have heart failure and they are trying to get me off it,i'm finding it rather difficult to be honest,anyone had the same problem?
Hey there. I’m a 41 year olde male with pretty much this same story. I’m healthy, I don’t drink or smoke. I work out/lift 5 days a week. I’ve been on Seroquel for three years now for sleep and mood stabilizer to help with anxiety/stress. I take 200 mg a day now. Spread out through the day. I started having high heart rates that will last for hours. 13-24 hours. Woke up with 160 rate the other night, then 130 ok a different night. Stayed above 100 for hours. You feel like you’ve ran a marathon. It suck. I went to the hospital twice. They put a halter monitor on. Currently Waiting on results but doc seems confused. They did ekg and echo and he said my heart looks fine. They don’t know why it’s doing this. They thought anxiety attacks at first but I’ve had those before and the heart rate goes back down pretty quickly. They want me to take a beta blocker to lower my heart rate if it does it again. Metapropol. He told me no workouts or things to raise my HR to high for now. This sucks. I’m not old. I shouldn’t be going through these issues. What did you find out? Did you get off the Quetiapine? Did the heart issues go away? Thanks for any help in advance. J
@stout79 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You lead a healthy lifestyle but recently you have had bouts of an increased heartrate for no apparent reason. You are wondering if it could be your use of Seroquel. May I ask what your providers advise about your use of Seroquel and your recent heartrate issues and if they have mentioned switching your medications?
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1 ReactionMy Cardiologist suggest that I ask my psychiatrist to find a replacement for this medication, but she's tried pretty much everything, SSRI's etc to help with my anxiety and depression and sleep, and the Quetiapine(Seroquel) has been the only thing I could tolerate the side effects of. My psychiatrist doesnt think the heart issues are from the Seroquel. I quit taking the Seroquel cold turkey one day, and after that 24 hour period of not taking the 200mg daily like I have been taking, is when the heart issues started. Even though Im back to taking 200 mg a day, Im having random high heart rate events. A lot at night when Im sleeping.
Hi @stout79 . I am 43 year old woman with bipolar. I have been on Seroquel for about 10 years now. My current dose is 200mg at bedtime. I would love to get off it but as soon as I get my taper down to 50mg I end up back at 200mg. I have noticed at random times I get heart palpitations, particularly at night. I have had ECG's aswell but all have a good result. Sometimes I think it is too much coffee but the timing doesn't fit. However, I was also experiencing dizziness and vertigo during the day. My GP tested my thyroid and found I developed hypothyroidism. If your GP hasn't tested for that, it might be worth an ask, maybe.
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1 ReactionThank you for the response. They did actually just test for that and my bloodwork was good. Just spoke to the cardiologist today and they want to try Corlanor. A medication that helps with those episodes of random high heart rate for long periods.
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2 ReactionsWell that's something. Good luck!
Hello, I was just reading your guy’s stories. I am 26 and was in rehab when I was 22 and was put on Quetiapine and I’ve been on it ever since just for insomnia. I’ve tried to get off but the withdrawals are just so bad.. I’m on 600MG at night and never really noticed any huge changes until last night it seems. I was trying to fall asleep and my heart all of the sudden rapidly beating... i felt as if I was going to die.. I called 911 and it just started slowing down. So instead I drove myself to the ER and they did an ECG test, chest X-ray and blood tests. They said they all looked good and sent me home. So I started doing my own research because I frankly thought they rushed me out of there and I found this post... I am terrified. I don’t want to take it again but I know that is not an option.. will cutting the dose in half help? If I can get any info from anyone that knows what is going on & if I should worry. I can’t seem to find a medical professional that will take me serious.. it’s Sunday night I have no option but to wait until tomorrow and call my pcp.. Wish I would’ve done my homework... I hope I’m not too late.... thanks. - Andrew