HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

High BP and Heart Rate with Effexor

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/28/2007 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,   Just wondered if anyone had ever suffered from a raised blood pressure and heart rate as a result of effexor.  It is a side effect that can happen when taking doses above 200mg.  I have been taking 225mg for about 3 months now and just recently have noticed my resting heaqrt rate to be about 90bpm and for someone who does a lot of exercise, I thought this was odd so I went to my doc and she said my blood pressure was higher than normal. She told me it was as a result of the effexor which is what I had thought and said not to worry about it.  Im not going to worry too much as its not causing me any problems so its best to leave things as they are as the effexor is really helping me.   Just wondered if anyone else had suffered this and what they did about it?   Thanks   (also posted on depression forum)
Posted 1/28/2007 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Victoria

 

I have never been put on effexor but have read that some here have increased blood presure from it. It was awhile back when I read it. I hope everything works out for you since it is working for you. Please keep us posted on how you are doing hun.

Posted 1/28/2007 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
do you take it for anxiety or depression? or both?

Victoria said...
Hi All,

 

Just wondered if anyone had ever suffered from a raised blood pressure and heart rate as a result of effexor.  It is a side effect that can happen when taking doses above 200mg.  I have been taking 225mg for about 3 months now and just recently have noticed my resting heaqrt rate to be about 90bpm and for someone who does a lot of exercise, I thought this was odd so I went to my doc and she said my blood pressure was higher than normal.

She told me it was as a result of the effexor which is what I had thought and said not to worry about it.  Im not going to worry too much as its not causing me any problems so its best to leave things as they are as the effexor is really helping me.

 

Just wondered if anyone else had suffered this and what they did about it?

 

Thanks

 

(also posted on depression forum)

Posted 1/29/2007 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I take effexor for both anxiety and depression
Posted 1/29/2007 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Victoria

Yes my BP went up with increased Effexor and I had to be put on BP tablets ... ggrrrrrr.  I hate taking meds at the best of times, so to have to take an extra one because of an existing one really gets my goat smurf

I've always had really good BP

Posted 1/29/2007 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
The blood pressure issue is usually only at higher doses of Effexor (275mg or more), which is one reason why some psychiatrists are now trying Cymbalta first. But the BP issue has appeared with Cymbalta as well, conferring little advantage over Effexor.

You have to see what the risks and benefits are of any medication, including whether the side effects are tolerable. While some people claim Effexor is better than SSRIs at bringing relief for depression and anxiety, most studies have shown no advantage whatsoever. But it may work better for some people after failing 2 or 3 SSRI trials.

Take it one day at a time and see what happens.
Posted 1/29/2007 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Just as a matter of interest I mention that I was on Paxil (or Seroxat as it is known in the UK) for three months and it did absolutely nothing for me, while Effexor at 75 mg has helped enormously.

Posted 1/30/2007 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
effexor is a SNRI type and often helps when the more common prozac, that is SSRI type dosesnt work

Posted 1/30/2007 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
My heart rate is really starting to get me down.  Its fast a lot of the time and I am really suffering from palpitations.  I am seeing my CPN (community psych nurse) today and my psychiatrist on fri so am going to see what they can do.  Maybe reducing the dose from 225mg to 150mg may help.  What do you think?
Posted 1/30/2007 10:39 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Victoria

I'm guessing that your anxiety about this situation is probably aggravating your heart rate and palpitations.  A reduction in your dosage may be the solution - but you should check that out with your CPN/psychiatrist first.  A couple more days shouldn't make much difference. 

While you're waiting to see them, perhaps you could try some deep breathing and relaxation exercises to try and calm you.

I'm not really the best one to answer your question tho' eyes   I'm having alot of problems myself at the moment with medications - I'm ready to get rid of all of them and just try and deal with my pain without any anti-depressants.

Good luck - I hope you get a good solution quickly, and try not to stress about it.

Deb

Posted 1/31/2007 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Check with your doctor and discuss the issue with the nurse when you see her. Sometimes a lower dose can work with the same effectiveness, sometimes not. Palpitations and higher BP can also be a symptom of anxiety.
Posted 1/31/2007 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,   Thanks for your replies.  I saw my CPN yesterday and she said she would speak to my psychiatrist today and get her to ring me.  The palps I am getting are different to what I feel when I am anxious.  My CPN thinks its to do with the venlafaxine and thinks they will either reduce it slightly or give me a beta blocker.   Will let you know when Ive heard from my doc   Thanks again
Posted 2/1/2007 10:45 AM (GMT 0)
Yes hun please do let us know
Thanks for all your care and concern over last few days
Will yak later k am going back to sleep
Luvs ya
Lyn
Posted 2/2/2007 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, went to see psychiatrist today and he sent me for an ECG which showed I had sinus tachycardia (a fast heartbeat!) which I already knew.  BP was still up so he reduced the effexor from 225mg to 150mg.   Hope this helps
Posted 2/3/2007 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
Victoria thank you so much for the update. I hope this decrease in your meds helps you out. Good luck hun.
Posted 2/4/2007 12:54 AM (GMT 0)

Victoria, I too am on Effexor, and now my Blood preassure and heart are high! And I am only on 75mg!

Posted by Geeb

The blood pressure issue is usually only at higher doses of Effexor (275mg or more), which is one reason why some psychiatrists are now trying Cymbalta first. But the BP issue has appeared with Cymbalta as well, conferring little advantage over Effexor. said...

Geeb, I don't thing its at higher dosage that you have high BP.... Because I am having it, and rapid heart rate even though I am only taking 75 mg!

Victoria, will you keep us posted as to what your psychiatrist says, as I went to my family doc, and he sent me to do blood work to check the cause etc.... But after I read Victoria's post, then I realize that I am having the same due to Effexor.

 

Posted 2/4/2007 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sad and Angry,   I am sorry you are having problems with the effexor.  I am now taking 150mg.  My psychiatrist reduced it from 225mg.  It will take a while to see any difference from the dose but I hope it helps.    Anxiety can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate but I could tell the difference between anxiety palpitations and just general racing heart.  I was going day to day, not feeling anxious and my heart rate would be resting between 90-100.  I didnt think that this was normal for a 24 year old!   I read up on the effexor and this can be a side effect.  I am not going to stop the med as it has really helped me and my depression and anxiety are really improved.  You are on quite a low dose so I'm not sure what action your doctor will take.  I suppose you could maybe reduce to 37.5mg.   How long have you been taking effexor?   Let me know what your doc says when you see him regarding your blood work.  Hope he can help you with this.   Take care
Posted 2/5/2007 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Victoria, I have been on Effexor from end of December, so its only a couple of weeks... but I am already having these effects.... and I find that Trazadone is not been very effective. It doesn't help me to sleep, and makes me anxious.

 

I am waiting to meet my family doctor, as I have been sent for blood work and ECG etc, and waiting for the results, so that he could decide what to do.

 

In the meantime, I am continuing to taking these meds, and see. Today, I woke up feeling very anxious, and angry too. I was having lot of racing thoughts.... mad

 

 

Posted 8/8/2007 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
I just read your question about BP and effexor, and even though it's been a while since it was posted, I thought you might be interested in this tid bit of info. My doctor actually put me on effexor BECAUSE it can raise blood pressure ( at least at higher levels ). I have Neurally Mediated Hypotension ( my body doesn't compensate for standing by constricting blood vessels like it is supposed to, instead the blood pools in my lower legs ) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome ( POTS ) which occurs in response to the previous problem - my heart tries to compensate for the low blood pressure by beating really fast. I was fainting all the time and couldn't function, so the effexor combined with midodrine ( a med to constrict the blood vessels ) and a diet high in salt ( making sure to drink lots of water as well ) has made a huge difference for me. Since you don't want the side effect of raised bp, you'll probably want to monitor your pressure in case you need to lower your dosage. If the dose is working really well and you would rather not lower it, I wonder if a low sodium diet would be enough to bring your bp down enough to stay on that dose??? Might be worth asking your doctor about. Good luck and God bless.
Posted 8/8/2007 3:58 AM (GMT 0)

Zilpha

Welcome to Healing Well, this is Kitt. Thank you for sharing with us. I am sure you may have been through several med combinations before you found one that works. I commend you for dealing with a difficult disorder that never goes away but must be followed closely.

I also like the way you know your own disorder and understand how the meds work.  Kudos to you and stay with us.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 4/22/2013 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Did the adjustments help? I was on 75mg had to bump upto 150mg to get through the days.

Now my BP and RHR is higher than normal.

I am just curious if the drop made any difference.

I know, when I was on other meds it had no side effects, but effexor worked better for me.
Not sure what to do.
Posted 4/22/2013 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi GrimGarrett and welcome!

I am afraid that you will not get any responses to this post since it is many years old...most of the responders, as well as the OP are no longer here.

I do not want to just move your post to its own thread, since it will seem incomplete without the rest of this thread's information...

...so can I suggest that you start a new one of your own, asking your question, so that all of our members can see it as a new topic and respond?

You can do this by hitting on the 'new topic' button on the left.

Post with us anytime...this is a place of understanding and support!:)

Scaredy Cat
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply