Long COVID palpitations and 200 bpm SVT, somewhat better with atenolol and Lexapro
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Not stated
- Ill before improving or writing
- Not stated
- Last post
- Aug 2025
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
which has in turn helped with my LC
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
Starting lexapro and stopping my period really increased my baseline.
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
which has in turn helped with my LC because my stress tolerance is very low
In context ↗
Read from 6 of their posts and comments; links to the 4 this page draws on
Summary
A person with long COVID reported heart palpitations, heart rate spikes above 150 bpm and an SVT run of 200 bpm, with anxiety and very low stress tolerance. Atenolol, started in early 2023, made them much more functional and steadied their heart rate. Later they reported rarely feeling palpitations, a better heart rate and improved mood, and in August 2025 they said starting Lexapro and stopping their periods had raised their baseline overall.
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What they tried
What they credit
Their words about each treatment
- atenolol · Helped a lot
The atenolol has helped my symptoms a ton though and I am much more functional.
In context ↗ - escitalopram (lexapro) · Helped
It helped me a lot. I rarely feel palpitations now and my heart rate is better.
In context ↗ - Lolo birth control · Helped
Starting lexapro and stopping my period really increased my baseline.
In context ↗ - lorazepam · Not said
1mg lorazepam as needed.
In context ↗
Approaches: SSRIs · Beta-blockers · Sex hormones
Their path
How ill they were on the ME/CFS severity scale, estimated from what they describe at each point, in the order they describe; they don’t give enough times to place each step. Hover or tap a point. 1 step says too little to place on the scale and is only in the table. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were | After |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-03-06 | before atenolol: heart rate spiking to 150+ and an SVT run of 200 bpmMy SVT run was 200 bpm.In context ↗ | Not stated | |
| 2023-03-06 | atenolol started, symptoms much better and more functionalThe atenolol has helped my symptoms a ton though and I am much more functional.In context ↗ | Mild | Atenolol (Tenormin) |
| 2024-11-29 | escitalopram helped palpitations, heart rate and moodIt helped me a lot. I rarely feel palpitations now and my heart rate is better.In context ↗ | Mild | Escitalopram (Lexapro) |
| 2025-08-08 | starting escitalopram and stopping periods raised baselineStarting lexapro and stopping my period really increased my baseline.In context ↗ | Mild | Escitalopram (Lexapro) |
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Heart symptoms & palpitations
I rarely feel palpitations now and my heart rate is better.
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
which has in turn helped with my LC because my stress tolerance is very low
In context ↗
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