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GLP-1 Drugs Causing Arrythmias

Posted by larry @larryst, Dec 23, 2024

My cardiologist suggested I start taking a GLP-1 drug. I have read those could cause arrhythmias (my problem). Has anyone had any experience with GLP-1 drugs ?

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cmiller57 | @cmiller57 | 4 days ago
In reply to @swex "I started taking semaglutide about 5 months ago. During the last 30 days on semaglutide, GLP-1,..." + (show)
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I started taking semaglutide about 5 months ago. During the last 30 days on semaglutide, GLP-1, my dosage was increased. I’ve lost about 20lbs on it. I had a history of Afib and 7 years ago had a heart ablation because I didn’t want to be on blood thinners and heart rate meds for the rest of my life. I’ve had no reoccurrence of Afib for 7 years. All of a sudden last month I went into persistent Afib. I went to urgent care and have spoken to a few doctors and no one seems to know anything about a relationship between GLP-1 and Afib. Everything on the internet says GLP-1 should actually help with AFIB because of weight loss. I stopped taking Semaglutide 2 weeks ago but am still in AFIB. I will be seeing a Mayo cardiologist in a few weeks.
Anyone else have any experience with GLP-1 and AFIB

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@swex
There is a study that shows it is helpful for many afib patients who are overweight and also lowers repeat episodes of afib for most of the 2500 people in the study. But it can do what happened to you. They need further studies. There are other types of weight loss drugs but I don’t know yet if glp1 is a single drug or a heading for different kinds of drugs. This study is at hrsonline (heart rhythm society online) dot org/ glp1-study-reduces-afib-events

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marshgammon | @marshgammon | 4 days ago

I coincidentally had a 48h holter on at the same time I was on GLP-1s.

Didn't even have a skipped or delayed beat. All good in their eyes.

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cdammen | @cdammen | 3 days ago

Was there any evidence these meds cause tachycardia? I have been taking GLP1s since August of last year. In recent months my tachycardia has increased as part of autonomic storms. I need to lose weight for apnea, my metabolic health and joint problems with EDS, but not if this med is in any way responsible for my autonomic symptoms. Do you know where to find the study?

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slh317 | @slh317 | 2 days ago

I have been on Zepbound for over a year for sleep apnea and lost 27% of my weight. I experienced a-fib for only a couple minutes when I first started Zepbound but have had no issues since. I think this was because my weight loss was so rapid and because I was not eating much food and also not getting enough protein. Once my body got accustomed to the GLP-1 I have had no issues and feel great. In addition to my sleep apnea getting better I am no longer pre-diabetic. I only went up to 10 mg and had already lost 47 pounds in 8 months so I gradually decreased to 7.5 mg and am now on 5 mg every 7-10 days as maintenance. I have not put on any weight even though I am eating more than I did at the higher doses.

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