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Tag: Tachycardia

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

Why is atropine contraindicated in AFib?

4 min read
Atropine is a first-line treatment for an abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia), but its mechanism makes it a dangerous choice for a fast, chaotic rhythm. A medical guideline from Summa Health explicitly lists AFib with a rapid ventricular response (RVR) as a contraindication, explaining exactly why atropine is contraindicated in AFib with RVR.

Understanding Contraindications: Who Should Not Use Atropine?

4 min read
While atropine has no absolute FDA-issued contraindications, it carries warnings for numerous conditions where its use requires caution [1.2.1]. Understanding who should not use atropine is crucial for patient safety, especially for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular, obstructive, or neuromuscular disorders.

What does atropine do to your heart rate?

4 min read
Atropine is a first-line medication used in emergency settings to treat symptomatic bradycardia, a condition where the heart beats too slowly [2, 5]. But specifically, what does atropine do to your heart rate? It works by blocking the nerve signals that slow your heart down [1].

What Medication Decreases Heart Rate? A Pharmacological Overview

4 min read
Nearly half of adults in the United States have hypertension (high blood pressure), a condition often managed with medications that can also lower heart rate [1.8.3, 1.8.4]. So, what medication decreases heart rate? The primary classes include beta-blockers and certain calcium channel blockers [1.3.1].

Can Atropine Cause Heart Failure? Understanding the Cardiac Risks

4 min read
According to a 2023 case report published in *Medicine*, a 41-year-old female experienced ventricular tachycardia and subsequent acute heart failure after being administered atropine for bradycardia. While atropine's primary action is to increase heart rate, this case highlights that, under specific circumstances, can atropine cause heart failure as a severe adverse reaction.

Do Antibiotics Reduce Heart Rate? Exploring the Cardiovascular Effects

4 min read
While some antibiotics can cause an increased heart rate, certain classes, like macrolides and fluoroquinolones, have been linked to a slower heart rate, or bradycardia [1.2.7, 1.2.1]. The complex relationship between these vital medications and cardiac function raises the question: do antibiotics reduce heart rate?