What may increase your risk for problems from a change in your heart rate or rhythm

Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.

Conditions

• Older than age 60
• A history of previous changes in your heart rate or rhythm
• A history of heart valve disease, including mitral valve prolapse (MVP)
• A history of heart disease, heart attack, or heart failure
• A history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• A history of heart surgery or angioplasty
• A history of an electrical shock
• Heart problems from birth (congenital)
• Placement of a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
• Poisoning or overdose
• Strong family history of heart disease or irregular rhythm (arrhythmias)

Lifestyle choices

• Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• Drug abuse or withdrawal
• Smoking or other tobacco use

Medicines

• Blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, heparin, and aspirin
• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
• Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection

Diseases

• Cancer
• Chronic lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Connective tissue disorders, such as lupus or scleroderma
• Diabetes
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
• Hemophilia
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
• Kidney disease
• Malnutrition
• Mental health problems, such as panic disorders, panic attacks, or depression
• Pheochromocytoma
• Thyroid disease