Effect of escitalopram on heart rate in patients with anxiety disorder: a retrospective study

Objective. To evaluate the effect of escitalopram on heart rate (HR) in patients with anxiety disorder. Design and methods. A retrospective study included 38 patients (24 women, 14 men) with anxiety disorder (Hospital anxiety and depression scale, HADS anxiety subscale ≥ 8 score) treated with escitalopram for at least 6 months. Patients receiving beta-blockers, with arrhythmias, or severe comorbidities were excluded. HR was measured at rest using the ri-fox N pulse oximeter before and 1 month after initiating therapy. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and ANOVA (R, version 4.3.2). Results. Baseline HR was 88 ± 10; 91 ± 12, and 82 ± 9 beats/min in women aged 23–60 years (n = 16), women aged 60–78 years (n = 8), and men aged 26–56 years (n=14), respectively. After 1 month of therapy, HR decreased to 69 ± 8; 73 ± 9, and 68 ± 7 beats/min, respectively (p < 0,001). HR reduction was observed in 73,7 % of patients; 21,1 % maintained HR > 80 beats/ min. No significant differences were found by age (p = 0,15) or sex (p = 0,11). Conclusion. Escitalopram reduces HR, mitigating tachycardia associated with anxiety disorder, but monitoring is required due to variable treatment responses.