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Can Botox Cause Heart Problems?

I've been to see a doctor about it who gave me an ECG and rook blood tests - all of which were normal. He said that although he knows little about Botox, the palpitations probably are caused by this.

Could palpitations caused by Botox be dangerous? I am getting them sometimes during the day and almost every night when at rest for hours. Everyone says that Botox I so safe, and I went a reputable surgeon, so how can this happen?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by JC1974 in Australia

Doctor Answers (4)
Community Comments (2)

Botox and Heart Issues

Hello JC, The closest we have ever seen to this in our practice is patients getting light headed or fainting in our chair. For some patients, anxiety is part of the process. We do everything we can to make our patients comfortable, but some still get very anxious about treatments. This is the only link we would be able to draw between Botox and heart issues is that of a connection to anxiety. Besides that we have never seen or heard of any connection with heart problems or palpitations.... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

4 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Botox not the issue with heart palpitations

It might be worth a second opinion regarding your heart palpitations. Botox when used properly for cosmetic reasons will not directly cause heart issues. On occasion patients will experience anxiety during the injection process but this is in no way caused by the Botox but rather stress. Consult with your primary care physician to look for another reason for your racing heart.

Lee Robinson, MD - RETIRED

2 reviews

Portland Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox does NOT cause Heart Palpitations

I have been using Botox for well over 10 years and I have NEVER seen or heard of such potential complication. Botox does NOT cause Heart palpitations. Either you did not understand your physician or you went to a really misinformed professional who spent the last 10 plus years in a cave cut off from the medical world. Barring a VERY unlikely injection into a large vein or the heart (I cannot even imagine how that could happen), when Botox is injected properly it STAYS locally and... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

35 reviews

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Comments (2)

maggie5555green
7 Apr 2013

I had 15 Botox injections at the same time for my left jaw (TMJ) disorder..newest treatment to relax facial muscles..110 units into neck and face. I have had palpitations since that day..never had them before. I am also having blurry vision, headaches, neck pain and memory loss. NEVER again will I do it..cost me $1300 and my jaw pain is STILL unchanged!

CA1973
24 Aug 2012

I am getting the same symptoms you are describing JC when at rest and sleeping. I am trying to do all the homework I can to understand and figure out what is happening. I too have had botox injections. I used it for excessive sweating under the arms. Within a few weeks I started with radom heart palpitations which were getting more severe and more often to the point I ended up in the hospital. I am starting to think it could be related to the Botox.
If you search out side affects you will find:
•difficult or painful swallowing, dizziness, shortness of breath, or vision changes (when used for cervical dystonia)
•facial paralysis or persistent eye irritation or pain (when used for eye conditions)
•falling (when used for spasticity due to cerebral palsy)
•fever, especially when accompanied by coughing and shortness of breath
•irregular heartbeat
•shortness of breath
•skin rash
I am now on a Beta Blocker drug to prevent my heart from racing. I still feel the symptoms come on and still wake up with difficulty breathing. I am waiting on further heart testing. Doctors told me it is irregular heart beat. I hope this helps and I really hope it's not Botox causing this but I have my suspicions.

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